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[Separate No. 145] 

Genesis of Stcamboating on Western 

rivers; with a Register of Officers 

on the Upper Mississippi 

1823-70 

By George B. Merrick and William R. Tibbak 



[From the Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin for 191 r, 

pages 97-1 51] 



Madison 

Published by the Society 

191 2 






^'^'^^ '.0 191? 






Genesis of Steam Navigation on 
Western Rivers 



By George Byron Merrick and William R. Tibbals 

In a former compilation by one of the writers of this paper it 
was the aim to give as far as possible, the histories of the steam- 
propelled-vessels on the upper ]\Iississippi — their names, tonnage, 
where built, description, etc. In the present paper the endeavor 
will be to rescue from oblivion the names of the officers who 
manned those boats from 1823 to recent years, and to give as 
many details of their activities as it is possible to gather from 
such ephemeral contemporary records as the newspapers of the 
day, or from the memories or diaries of the few surviving mem- 
bers of the craft who yet remain in their snug-harbors along the 
banks of the great river between St. Louis and St. Paul. From 
this latter source much of worth and interest has been gleaned. 
Such survivors, despite the burden of years pressing upon 
them — most of them having passed the four-score mark — have 
generously devoted time, thought, and strength to the perfecting 
of this record.* 

More than this, both of the present compilers have had actual 
river experience — Mr. Merrick's extending through a term of 

1 Acknowledgments for aid in preparing these records are made to 
Capt. Isaac H. Moulton, La Crosse; Capt. George H. Hazzard, St. Paul; 
Capt. Daniel Hall, Trufant, Mich.; Capt. John Killeen, Dubuque; Capt 
Harry Leitch, Quincy, 111.; Capt. William Kelly, St. Louis; Prof. H. B. 
Downer, Davenport, Iowa; Capt. J. W. Campbell, Burlington, Iowa, de- 
ceased; and the Iowa State Historical Society. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

only seven seasons;- but Captain Tibbals's including more than 
fifty years of active service as pilot and master." 



2 George B. Merrick, now of Madison, was born in Niles, Mich., Sept. 
21, 1841. Wlien thirteen years of age his father removed to Prescott, 
Wis., where he was agent for the Minnesota Packet Company, so that 
as a boy young Merrick was interested in steamboat matters. For 
somewhat more than a year he worked in the oflSce of the Nortli- 
western Democrat, published by D. M. Lusk and William J. Whipple, 
and in the spring of 1856 shipped as cabin-boy with Sam S. Fifield on 
the "Kate Cassell." The next season Merrick went on the "Fanny 
Harris" as "cub" engineer, later supplying the place of second clerk 
under Charles G. Hargus of Dubuque. The following year, Merrick 
acted as pilot on St. Croix River; and from 1859 to 1862 was either 
pilot or clerk on the Mississippi steamers "H. S. Allen," "Kate Cas- 
sell," "Enterprise," and "Fanny Harris." During the winters he 
worked in various printing offices. Aug. 6, 1862, he enlisted in com- 
pany A, 30th Wisconsin Infantry, serving therein for three years. 
After two years in the War Department at Washington, he was em- 
ployed in New York as a steamship agent until 1876, when he took up 
editorial work at River Falls, Wis.; he also acted as railway agent at 
the same point. In 1885 he came to Madison, where for five years he 
was employed as proof-reader in the adjutant-general's office and later 
in the Madison Democrat office, and since 1897 as accountant for the 
University. In 1895-96 Merrick was adjutant-general of the Grand 
Army of the Republic for Wisconsin. He aided in compiling the 
Roster of Wisconsin yolunteers (Madison, 1886) and is the author of a 
Roster and Itinerary of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry (Madison, 1896), a 
Genealogy of the Merrick Family (Madison, 1902), and Old Times on 
the Upper Mississippi (Cleveland, 1909). — En. 

3 William R. Tibbals was born in Bennington, Vt., June 27, 1832; 
came to Galena, 111., in 1851. His first experience on the upper river 
was a pleasure trip to St. Paul in the summer of 1852, going up on the 
"West Newton," Capt. Daniel Smith Harris, and returning on the 
"Nominee," Captain Orrin Smith. The fare was $1.50 for the round 
trip, the two boats running a strong opposition at the time. In the 
spring of 1854 Captain Tibbals started out on the "Nominee" to learn 
the river from Galena to St. Paul, under the guidance of John Arnold 
and Joseph Armstrong, both first-class pilots. About the first of June, 
1854, the crew of the "Nominee" was transferred to the "Galena," 
which, with four other boats of the Minnesota Packet Company "was 
chartered by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad for an ex- 

f 98 ] 




William R. Tibbals 



Western River Steamboating 

When, in 1808, the successful trips of Robert Fulton's ''Cler- 
mont" and other steam-driven vessels on the Hudson had demon- 
strated the practicability of the application of steam to river 
navigation, the interest of capital Avas at once attracted to this 
new line of investment. The exploitation of the Hudson and other 
Eastern waters was soon under way; but the Western rivers 
were before long recognized as offering a larger field for such 
investments. 

Fulton himself was able to command the influence and capital 
necessary for the undertaking. In December, 1810, the Ohio 
Steamboat Navigation Company was incorporated by Daniel D. 
Tompkins, Eobert R. Livingston, DeAVitt Clinton, Robert Fulton, 
and Nicholas J. Roosevelt to operate steamers on the Western 

cursion to St. Paul, to celebrate the opening of the railroad as far as 
the Mississippi River, and incidentally to advertise the property. 
Young Tibbals was detailed to go to Chicago and lay in a stock of 
-wines, fruits, and confections, his purchase amounting to over $3,000. 
There were about a thousand people on the excursion, including some 
two hundred women. Among the notables were ex-President Millard 
Fillmore, Hon. Edward Bates, Hon. John A. Dix, Hon. Francis Blair, 
Hon. Elbridge Gerrj% Rev. Leonard Bacon, Prof. Benjamin Silliman, 
Thurlow Weed, Horace Greeley, Charles A. Dana, and many other men 
of national reputation, not less than one hundred of whom were edit- 
ors of the leading newspapers of the country. On arrival at St. Paul 
the party was transported to Minnehaha Falls in several hundred Pem- 
bina carts; the annual "train" happened to be in St. Paul at the time, 
and no other means of transportation was available. Captain Tibbals 
secured his first license in 1855, and until 1904 was constantly em- 
ployed on the river as pilot or maister on many of the finest boats on 
the upper river. In the fall of 1867, as master of the "Ocean Wave," 
he took that boat, with a tow of barges, from Winona, Minn., to New 
Orleans — the first cargo of bulk wheat ever taken down the river. It 
was shipped to Liverpool in the new ship "John Geddy," waiting for 
the cargo. In 1890 he was appointed master of the government 
steamer "J. G. Parke," which he commanded until his appointment 
in 1895 by President Cleveland as supervising inspector of steam- 
boats, which office he retained until the second year of President 
McKinley's administration. His last service on the river was in 1904, 
as captain of the new and beautiful steamer "Quincy," running dur- 
ing the World's Fair between St. Louis and St. Paul, thus completing 
51 years upon the river. In summing up his service he says: "After 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

waters under the Fulton-Livingston patents.* N. J. Roosevelt 
was a brother of former President Theodore Roosevelt's grand- 
father. 

This company sought to monopolize the business of steamboat- 
ing on the "Western waters, and to this end obtained from the 
legislature of Louisiana the passage of a bill granting them the 
exclusive right of navigating the waters of that State with steam 
vessels for the term of fourteen years, with the privilege of re- 
newing their charter at the end of that time. Any one violating 
this monopoly was subject to a fine of $500 for each offense — ^that 
is to say, for each time a steamboat entered Louisiana waters. 

In the year 1811 the new company established a shipyard at 
Pittsburgh and there built their first vessel. Fulton's company 
transferred, intact, both the model and the motive power of their 
successful Eastern vessels to the radically differing conditions of 
the Western waters. The Hudson is a tide-water stream for 
nearly half its course, with but little current : it is of uniform 
depth, and in its entire navigable length is framed with rocky 
shores that preclude any great changes in its channel. The 
"Clermont" and her successors were built on sea-going lines, 
with a minimum draft of about eight feet of water. The boilers 
were placed in the hold, and the vertical cylinder was bedded 
upon the keelson. The power was applied to the side-wheels, 
which at first were attached to a solid shaft extending from side 
to side, by the vertical oscillating cylinder connected with a "gal- 
lows-frame" walking-beam. With this equipment it was possible 
to secure but two motions — both wheels revolving ahead, or back- 



all these years of labor, through storms and floods and seasons of low 
water, mostly done before the government had spent a dollar for im- 
proving or lighting the river, it is, perhaps, permissible for me to add 
that the only steamboat that was ever Injured while in my care was 
the side-wheeler 'Keokuk;' she struck a [sunken] boulder that had 
rolled from the bluff at Chimney Rock and lodged in the channel with- 
out anybody knowing of it. It took three steamboats to pull the 
'Keokuk' off the boulder; but the injury to her bottom was patched 
up by her crew, and she proceeded to the ways at Le Claire under her 
own steam." Captain Tibbals lives in Dubuque, and maintains a 
lively interest in everything pertaining to the Mississippi River and 
Its commerce. — Ed. 

< Archer B. Hulbert, The Ohio River (New York, 1906), p. 330. 

riooi 



Western River Steamboating 

ing at the same time. This feature did not permit the pilot tO' 
turn liis boat in its length, and made it difficult to handle a 
steamer in the tortuous and contracted channels of Western 
rivers. To overcome this difficulty in turning the vessel, the 
"Clermont" and other Eastern boats were rigged with two 
masts, carrying sails, by whose manipulation the boats could be 
turned in the more expanded and deeper M'aters of the Hudson. 
All of tiiese features were transferred to the "Western waters 
and incorporated in the "New Orleans," the initial boat built in 
1811 by the Fulton-Livingston Company at Pittsburgh. Fulton 
seems to have realized the advantages to be derived from inde- 
pendent wheels, and had secured this to a partial extent by 
means of clutches, by which one or the other of the wheels could 
be disconnected, and the power applied to one wheel only, so 
that the vessel could more readily be turned. The editor of a St. 
Louis paper, writing from New York, says : ^ 

The machine which moves her wheels is called, we believe, a twenty- 
four horse machine, or equal to the power of twenty-four horses, and is 
kept in motion by steam from a copper boiler eight or ten feet long. 
The wheels are on each side, similar to those on water-mills, and under 
cover. They are moved backward or forward, separately or together^ 
at pleasure. 

The "Clermont" made her initial trip in 1807; the improve- 
ment noted above appeared in 1808, indicating that the genius 
which had applied Watts 's steam-engine to the propulsion of veS' 
sels was actively engaged in perfecting the work so begun. 

There are discrepancies in the accounts of Fulton's first boat 
on Western waters. Most authorities agree that she was named 
' ' New Orleans, ' ' but some call her the ' ' Orleans. ' ' One presents 
a wood-cut showing a steamboat bearing the name "Orleans." 
It is a stem-wheel boat.^ There can be no doubt but that this is 
an error as regards the style of boat; for the first three boats 
built by the Fulton-Livingston company adhered to the Fulton 



5 Missouri Gazette, St. Louis, ISOS. The italics are the present edi- 
tor's. 

6 James T. Lloyd, Steamhoat Directory and Disasters on Western 
Waters (Cincinnati, 1856), p. 7. This is one of the earliest and most 
complete compilations relating to early river navigation. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

model — side-wheel and vertical en^ne.' The vertical engine 
could not be used in connection with a stern-wheel. 

Following the "New Orleans," the "Comet," a small boat of 
twenty-five tons, was launched in 1812; and the "Vesuvius" two 
years later. These were of the same sea-going model^ with en- 
gines and boiler in the hold, and each drew far more water than 
the river afforded at any season except that of the early spring 
or after the beginning of the autumn rains. They went dowTi 
the river after long delays at the Falls of the Ohio (Louisville), 
but were unable to return owing to too great draft and lack of 
power. 

The "Enterprise," seventy-five tons, was built in 1814 under 
the Fulton patents at Brownsville, Pennsylvania. She reached 
New Orleans, where she was impressed by General Jackson and 
used in repelling the British attack lipon that place. In May, 



' P. S. Bush, an old resident of Covington, Ky., tells of seeing the 
"New Orleans' in December, 1811, just a century ago, as she passed 
his home on the banks of the Ohio. His observation confirms the as- 
sumption that the "New Orleans" was a side-wheel, walking-beam 
boat. An alarm having been given of a strange object coming down 
the river, "all the family immediately ran to the bank. We saw some- 
thing, I knew not what, but supposed it was a saw-mill, from, the 
working of the lever heavi, making its slow but solemn progress with 
the current. We were shortly afterwards informed that it was a 
steamboat." — Cited by Hulbert, Ohio River, p. 332. 

On Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 1911, there was held at Pittsburgh a celebration 
in honor of the centennial anniversary of the setting forth of the 
"New Orleans" upon her trip down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. A 
replica of the original — styled "New Orleans" and of the type cited 
in Hulbert — was on October 31 formally christened in the presence of 
President William H. Taft and some 50,000 spectators gathered on 
Monongahela wharf (levee) and the neighboring hillsides. The chris- 
tening itself was by Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a descendant of 
the original owner. The president delivered a congratulatory address 
at the wharf, and the "New Orleans" was accompanied on a trip sev- 
veral miles in extent by some sixty of the largest Ohio River packets. 
On Nov. 2, the little steamer began a commemorative trip to New Or- 
leans, with about twenty passengers. She stopped at the towns en- 
route, for the holding of celebrations, and tied up over night; finally 
arriving three weeks later at the city of New Orleans, which was, ia 
honor of the event, in gala attire. 

[102] 



Western River Steamboating 

1815, she cleared from New Orleans for Louisville, where she 
arrived after a trip of twenty -five days. Both the IMississippi and 
the Ohio were "bank-full" at the time. In an ordinary stage of 
water she would not, with the draft she was carrying, have been 
able to get above Natchez.® 

It remained for Henry M. Shreve ** to improve upon both the 
Fulton and the French patents, which had governed the equip- 
ment of the nine boats heretofore built at the Pittsburgh yards. 
Instead of placing the boilers and machinery in the hold, Cap- 
tain Shreve decked the hold over and placed his machinery on 
what has since been known as the main deck. Heretofore the 
cylinders of all boats had been of the vertical and oseillatiag 
pattern. Captain Shreve laid his cylinders down upon solid 
bed-timbers, and transferred the vibration to the pitman. 

The "Washington," as his boat was named, was equipped with 
double high-pressure engines, with cranks at right angles at- 
tached to the stern-wheel shaft at either end, so that a steady 
motion of the wheel w^as maintained, as against the halting mo- 
tion of the side-wheels, driven bj' a single engine, Avhere the 
crank turned over the dead centres.^*^ 

Captain Shreve also added David Prentice's invention of the 
cam cut-off, and by adding flues to his boilers, saved a third of 
his fuel. Thus equipped, the first stern-wheel boat started on 
her initial voyage to the Gulf. September 24, 1816, she passed 
over the Falls of the Ohio. There Edward Livingston examined 
her, noted the many improvements, and remarked to Captain 
Shreve : ' ' You deserve well of your country, young man, but we 
shall be compelled to beat you in court if Ave can." 



8 Hulbert, Ohio River, p. 334. 

9 Henry M. Shreve was born in New Jersey in 1785, and died at St. 
Louis in 1851. He invented the steam snag-boat, was owner of five 
out of the first fifty steamboats built for Western rivers, and was in 
the steamboat and keel-boat business on the Ohio and Mississippi for 
over forty years. He was employed by General Jackson ih several 
hazardous enterprises, and during the battle of New Orleans served 
one of the field pieces which destroyed the advancing column of Gen- 
eral Keane. He filled the post of United States superintendent of 
Western river improvements under the administrations of Presidents 
Adams, Jackson, and Van Buren. — St. Louis Republican. March 7, 1851. 

10 Lloyd, Steamboat Directory, p. 44. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

The monopoly rights of Fulton, Livingston & Co. had already 
been taken into court by Captain Shreve. December 14, 1814, 
with the steamboat "Enterprise," he had entered the forbidden 
waters of Louisiana. Immediately upon landing at New Orleans 
he retained counsel and procured bail, in case of seizure, which 
took place the next day. Bail was entered and a suit commenced 
against the boat and her owners in an inferior court, where a 
verdict was found for the defendants. The case was then re- 
moved by a writ of error to the supreme court of the United 
States. Before the question was decided by this court, Captain 
Shreve returned to New Orleans with his new steamboat, the 
"Washington,"' which, as expected, was also seized by the Liv- 
ingston company, to whom she was surrendered without making 
any difficulty. Upon application, however, to the court an order 
was obtained holding the company to bail to answer to any dam- 
ages that might be sustained by the detention of the vessel. To 
this Livingston demurred. The company feeling the weakness 
of its case, and foreseeing the downfall of its colossal monopoly, 
made repeated overtures through its counsel and individual 
members of the finn to admit Captain Shreve to an equal share 
in all the privileges of the patent right, provided he would in- 
struct his counsel so to arrange the business of the defense that 
a verdict might be found against him. The bribe was rejected 
with scorn, and the case fought to a finish, the court finding 
against the monopoly in every point. The three years litigation 
cost Captain Shreve a fortune; but the result opened the Mis- 
sissippi River once and for all to any one who wished to embark 
in the carrying business on Western rivers.^^ 

Having been released from durance, the "Washington" re- 
turned to Louisville, and March 12, 1817. started on her second 
round trip, which was accomplished in forty-one days. This suc- 
cessful run demonstrated the practicability of steam navigation 
up-stream. First to prove the success of river navigation by 
steam, the "Washington" was also first in the long list of ex- 
plosions which were to wreck hundreds of boats and bring death 



11 E. W. Gould, Historn of Xavigation on the Mississippi for Fifty 
Years (St. Louis, 1889), pp. 164-167; a valuable compilation, but badly 
arranged, its author being more accustomed to handling a steamboat 
wheel than a pen. 

[1041 



Western River Steamboating 

or woiiuds to thousands of passengers and crew. June 9, 1817, 
soon after leaving ^Marietta, she exploded her boiler, with a loss 
of twelve killed and as many more seriously scalded — Captain 
Shreve, master, and ^Ir. Clark, engineer, being among those 
wounded.^ - 

Within a few months a score of shipyards were established 
along the Ohio and its tributaries. Pittsburgh, with its found- 
ries and machine shops, offered the best facilities for equipping 
the hulls as they were turned out at the yards. Brownsville, 
Elizabeth, Shousetown, M'cKeesport, California, Belle Vernon, 
and Wheeling turned out boats by the score ; while Marietta, Cin- 
cinnati, and Louisville engaged in the business to a great extent. 

Two other improvements, credit for which I am unable defin- 
itely to assign, although the weight of evidence points to Capt. 
Henry Shreve as their author, completed the Western steamboat 
practically as it was used in the fifties, when Wisconsin, Iowa, 
and Minnesota were the fields of its greatest activity. The first 
improvement was building a wide, light, flat-bottomed hull which 
would draw less than two instead of six feet of water, thus ad- 
ding immensely to its adaptability to the shallow channels of 
Western rivers. The other was the adoption of independent en- 
gines for each side-wheel, enabling one to come ahead while the 
other was backing. This permitted the pilot to turn his boat in 
it^ length, as well as greatly assisting him in navigating crooked 
and dangerous pieces of the river. 

The growth of the business was marvelous. In 1819 there were 
sixty-three steamers on Western waters; in 1832 there were 230; 
and in 1842, 450, with a total of 126,278 tons; while by 1855 no 
less than 800 steam vessels were in commission.^^ 

Between the years 1817 and 1848 there Avere 233 boiler explo- 
sions, great and small, vriih. a loss of 2,563 lives, and 2,092 seri- 
ously wounded. From 1848 to 1871 there were 66 explosions, 
with a loss of 3.033 lives." The loss of the ''Sultana," in 1865, 



12 Lloyd, Steamioat Directory, p. 55. 

13 Hulbert, Ohio River, p. 236; Lloyd, Steamboat Directory, p. 4S. 
1* Gould, Navigation on Mississippi, pp. 432-437. 

For years after the war there was much discussion regarding the 
loss of the "Sultana", April 27, 1865. Many people, especially northern 
soldiers, suspected that the boat was destroyed by an explosion of gun- 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

near ^Memphis, was the most terrible of all. She was loaded with 
Union soldiers returning North. Oi these, 1647 men so far as 
accounted for, lost their lives either by scalding or drowning. 
It was estimated at the time that the number exceeded two thou- 
sand. The remarkable decrease in the number of accidents from 
1848 to 1871, as compared with those of the earlier period, is due 
to the more rigid inspection of boilers by the federal govern- 
ment; also to the greater care in granting licenses to engineers. 

The pioneer steamboat upon the waters of the Mississippi 
above tlie mouth of the Ohio was the "Zebulon M. Pike," built 
in 1815 by Mr. Prentice, of Henderson, Kentucky. The "Pike" 
made her first trip to Louisville a distance of 250 miles, in sixty- 
nine liours — a rate of about three and one-half miles an hour, 
against the current. Her hull was built on the model of a barge 
or keel-boat. The cabin was built inside the running-boards of 
the barge. In stemming a rapid current the crew reinforced the 
steam power by getting out their setting-poles and pushing her 
against the stream as in keel-boat navigation. The boat was 
driven by a low-pressure engine, with a gallows-frame walking- 
beam. The side wheels had no wheel-houses. She had but one 
smoke-stack and used wood for fuel. 

Her first trip from Louisville to St. Louis consumed six weeks. 
She ran only in daylight, lying at the bank wherever night over- 
took her, in order to replenish her stock of fuel. Her coming to 
St. Louis had been announced bv an overland mail from Louis- 



pov.'der concealed in blocks of coal placed in the boat's fuel supply by- 
some one inimical to the Union cause. A letter from Capt. Charles H. 
Patten, a veteran river engineer, now of Fort Madison, Iowa, and also 
a veteran soldier, who was stationed at Memphis in April 1S65, seems 
definitely to settle the question. He says that he went on board the 
"Sultana" to see Lemuel Wilson, one of the engineers, as the boat lay 
at Memphis. Wilson told Patten that the boilers were in bad condi- 
tion, and that before taking on passengers at Vicksburg they had 
patched the boilers as well as possible for the trip North. It would 
thus appear that the explosion was due to defective boilers, and not to 
the malice of Confederate sympathizers. Patten does not say in his 
letter whether his friend Wilson was among the lost or not. There 
were on the boat 70 cabin passengers, 1866 paroled prisoners (Union), 
and a crew of S.^, of which number 1647 were lost. 

[106] 



Western River Steamboating 

ville. The first notice of the expected arrival of the "Pike" 
says : ^^ 

A steamboat is expected here tomorrow from Louisville. There is 
no doubt but what we shall have regular connectioa [with Louisville] 
or at least with the mouth of the Ohio, by a steam packet. 

August 2. 1817, the foUowiug advertisement appeared in the 
same newspaper: 

The steamboat "Pike" will be ready to take in freight to-morrow for 
Louisville, or any town on the Ohio. She will sail for Louisville on 
Monday, the 4th of August, from 10 to 12 o'clock A. M. For freight or 
passage apply on board. Jacob Read, Master. 

The first step in conquering the upper Mississippi was thus 
taken. The keel-boat, however, still ruled above St. Louis. 

During May, 1819, the steamboat "Independence" left St. 
Louis for Franklin, on the Missouri River, from whence she re- 
turned thirteen days later. Other boats followed the same year. 
June 9, of that year, Captain Hewes of the ' ' St. Louis ' ' gave an 
excursion to the mouth of the Missouri. The newspaper report 
thereof declares that "Captain Hewes has gratified the citizens 
of St. Louis with a sail to the mouth, of the Missouri. The com- 
pany on board was large and genteel, and the entertainment very 
elegant." ^^ 

The first menticr of regular traffic on the upper river appears 
in a St. Louis newspaper of April 19, 1822:^^ 

During the past week our wharf has exhibited a greater show of 
business than we recollect ever to have seen, and the number of steam 
and other boats arriving and departing has been unprecedented. The 
immense trade which has opened between this place and Fever River, 
Illinois, at the present time, employs, besides a number of keel-boats, 
six steamboats, to-wit: the "Indiana," "Shamrock," "Hamilton," 
"Muskingum," and "Mechanic." The "Indiana" and "Shamrock," on 



15 Missouri Gazette, July 14, 1S17. 

i6/6;d. June 9, 1819. 

1' St. Louis Republican, cited in Gould, Navigation on Mississippi, 
p. 116. It would be gratifying had the names of the masters of these 
first boats been given. But one of these boats, the "Indiana," is 
mentioned in the list compiled by the present writer; and that at a 
much later date than above cited. — See Merrick, 07c! Times on the Up- 
per Mississippi, p. 274. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

their return trip have been deeply freighted with lead, and several 
keel-boats likewise have arrived laden with the same article. Judg- 
ing from the thousands of people who have gone to make their for- 
tunes at the lead mines this spring, we should suppose that the qu^i- 
tity of lead produced this year would be ten-fold greater than here- 
tofore. 

The next upper river steamboat was the "Virginia," Captain 
Crawford, known to have been at Fort Snelling ]\Iay 10, 1823. 
All authorities agree upon this; but upon those of the next ten 
years there is a diversity of opinion. Rev. E. D. Neill, in his 
"Occurrences in and around Fort Snelling from 1819 to 1840," 
mentions fifteen boats as having arrived at that fort, but gives 
the dates for but three. Following is Neill 's list, as amended by 
the late Capt. Russell Blakeley of St. Paul and hy the writer 
hereof :^^ 

1. "Virginia," Captain Crawford, May 10, 1823. Among her passen- 
gers were Major Biddle and Lieut. John Russell, of the Army, Major 
Taliaferro, United States Indian Agent, and Count Giacomo 0. Bel- 
trami, an expatriated Italian of noble family.io 

2. "Neiville." Nothing more known of this boat. 

3. "Rufus Putnam," Capt. David G. Bates, arrived April 5, 1825. 
Four weeks later she made a second trip with goods for the Columbia 
Trading Company, at Land's End, on the Minnesota River, where the 
company's post was located. 

4. "Mandan." Boat owned by American Fur Company, and probably 



^6 Minn. Hist. Colls., ii, pp. 102-117; viii, pp. 376-378; Merrick, Old 
Times on the Upper Mississippi, p. xxx. 

19 Thomas Biddle Jr. was born in Pennsylvania, from which state 
he was appointed to the army as captain of infantry April 9, 1812, trans- 
ferred to 2nd artillery July 6, 1812; transferred to artillery corps May 
17, 1815; transferred to rifle regiment, May, 1820. He was major and 
paymaster August 7, 1820; killed in a duel, August 29, 1831. Brevet 
major August 15, 1814, for gallant defense of Fort Erie. 

John B. F. Russell was born in Massachusetts, from which state he 
was appointed to the army. Second lieutenant light artillery, July 
24, 1818; transferred to infantry June 1, 1821; first lieutenant Nov. 1, 
1821. He served as captain and assistant quartermaster, March 14, 
1828-October 13, 1830. Becoming captain April 23, 1830, he resigned 
June 22, 1837. 

Maj. Laurence Taliaferro was a Virginian by birth, 1794; he enlisted 

[ 108 ] 



L. H. MERRtOK 



W. R. OATE8 



L. H. MERRICK & CO. 

STORAGEJORWARDlKGi.! COMMISSION 

JflERCH.ijYTS, 

STEAMBOAT & KXPKFSS AOFINTS. 



REFdREMCES. 

Blakclcv « Burbank St. Paul. | J„hn Lwrnin i (> .. 

Alexonder lli-jr ,i„ (mnpl*!!, Juiii. 4 C. 

U- T. »l«x»oli Prtwlt. I II. K. McOlmkcv 

McCoy t Mortun St. Uuli. | Hdiril. SUiuMn i Co.. 



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1854 




*Sr Kepp lilts in siglit at the Taljlo 
ahil rftiurn before le:ivliig tlie Hoai. 



1864 



Galena, Dunleith & ISinnesota Packet Co. i 

STEAMER KATE CASSEL. I 



CAP'J AIX S. K. OKAY 



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' 0. G. HARGUS, 67e;Z:. I 



Trom Merrick's Ohl Times on the AJisxissippi. Courtesy of A. II. Clark Co. 

Facsimiles of early Busixess Card and. Tickets 



Western River Steamboating 

loaded with their supplies. The master's name is not given. Capt. 
Josepli La Barge was in the employ of the American Fur Company at 
this time, and may have been in command. The boat arrived at the 
fort prior to 1827; she was a side-wheeler; was snagged and sunk ia 
Missouri River in the early forties, Capt. Phil Hanna being In com- 
mand at the time. 

5. "Indiana." Arrived at fort prior to 1827. In Galena trade 1828, 
Captain Fay commanding. 

6. "Lawrence." Arrived May 2, 1826. Captain's name not given. 
J^ot mentioned elsewhere. 

7. "Sciota." Not mentioned elsewhere. 

8. "Eclipse." Not mentioned elsewhere. 

9. "Josephine." At Fort Snelling 1827, Capt. J. Clark commanding. 
Captain Clark appears the next season in command of "Missouri Ful- 
ton," in the Galena trade, and also as captain of "Josephine," and 
again in 1829 commanding "Josephine." 

10. "Missouri Fulton." Captain Culver, first part of season; later, 
Capt. J. Clark. Arrived again May 8, 1836, Capt. Orrin Smith. In 
Galena and St. Peter's trade, 1837, Capt. Orrin Smith. 

11. "Red Rover." Capt. Joseph Throckmorton. In Galena and St. 
Peter's trade, 1828-30. 

12. "Black Rover." Not mentioned elsewhere. 

13. "Warrior." Built in 1832 by Capt. Joseph Throckmorton. Ar- 
rived at the fort June 24, 1835 with supplies for the garrison, and a 
pleasure party. Among the passengers were Captain Day and Lieuten- 
ant Beech of the army, Catlin, the artist, and his wife, Gen. George 
W. Jones, J. Farnsworth, Mrs. Felix St. Vrain, Miss Farnsworth, Miss 
Crowe, Miss Johnson, and others. On July 16 the "Warrior" wa3 
again at the fort. 

14. "Enterprise.'" Small stern-wheel boat. At the fort early in the 



in the army during the War of 1812-15, and at its close remained ia 
service until 1819 when he was appointed Indian agent at St. Peter's, 
where he remained for twenty-one years. In 1840 he retired to his 
home in Bedford, Pa., where he was military storekeeper 1857-63, and 
where he died Jan. 22, 1871. 

Count Giacomo C Beltrami, born in Bergamo, Italy, 1779, was ban- 
ished in 1821 on account of political intrigue. He came to America, 
and made his way to St. Louis, where he became imbued with the 
desire to find the source of the Mississippi, and he was starting upon 
this expedition when we find him listed as a passenger on the first 
steamboat to reach Fort Snelling. 

[109] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

season of 1832, and again on June 27, 1832. Sunk at the head of En- 
terprise Island, 1843. 
15. "Volant." Not mentioned elsewhere. 

Other boats, under charter by the federal government, made 
trips to the fort annually up to 1842, or even later; but as there 
was as yet no population to feed nor products to export, there 
were no boats engaged in independent traffic before this date 
above Galena, Cassville, and Helena. At these points the mines 
furnished a return cargo of lead to the steamboats bringing in 
the necessaries of civilization for the rapidly-increasing mining 
population. Impetus given by the opening to settlement of 
northern Wisconsin, and the rise of lumbering interests on the 
Black. Chippewa, and St. Croix rivers caused a rapid growth in 
steamboating above the mouth of the Wisconsin. It reached its 
culmination in 1858, during the rush of settlers to the newly- 
opened lands and growing settlements of Minnesota. 

Among tlie earliest to engage in this regular steamboat trade 
on the upper river was Count Agoston Haraszthy, a refugee from 
political oppression in the old world, then dwelling at Sauk City 
on Wisconsin Kiver.-° 

The "Rock River" was a small boat, built in 1843 at Mazatlan, 
Illinois. She was owned by Haraszthy and Bryant of Sauk City ; 
and connuanded by the fo inner with his compatriot, Edmond 
Rentdorff, as clerk. The name of the engineer is not given; the 
captain probably did his own piloting. This boat during the 
season of 3843 made three trips from St. Louis to St. Peter's 
(now known as Mendota, Minnesota), and two trips from St. 
Louis to Fort Winnebago (at Portage, Wisconsin). She was 
frozen in at Prairie du Chien in November of that year, and lay 
there during the winter, notwithstanding the heroic efforts of 
the crew to extricate her and sail her to her home port at Sauk 
Cit3'. The next season she ran to Fort Snelling with supplies, 
and troops, and did a general freighting and passenger business, 
on the upper river — the first boat regularly in that trade. She 
was frozen in at Wacouta, IMinnesota. at the head of Lake Pepin, 
in the fall of 1844. and lay there during the winter. In the 



~o See sketch by Verne Seth Pease in Wis. Hist. Soc. Proc, 1906, 
pp. 224-245. 

[1101 





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;^ILWAUKl||jjjpMggJ]2i^ 



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From Merrick's Old Times on the Atisisissippi. Courtesj- of A. H. Clark Co. 

Steamer "Milwaukee," 1856; 550 Tons 




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Steamer "War Eagle," 1852; 296 Tons 



Western River Steamboating 

spring she went south to New Orleans and did not again appear 
in the North, being sold to run on the slack-water bayous of the 
lower river, with the current of which she was better able to cope 
than with the swifter water of the upper Mississippi. 

The names of a few men appear pre-eminent in the history of 
navigation on the upper ^lississippi. Among these were the 
Harris Brothers of Galena, whose given names were Daniel Smith, 
Robert Scribe, ]\Iartin Keeler, James Meeker, and Jackson re- 
spectively. Daniel Smith — or "Smith" Harris, as he was called 
the length of the river — was the eldest and best known. These 
five Avere the sons of James and Abigail Bathrick Harris.-^ Dan- 
iel Smith Harris came to Galena on the keel-boat "Colonel Bum- 
ford," arriving in June, 1823. The next three brothers came 
from Cincinnati in the spring of 1824. Jackson was bom at 
Galena in 1828. Two of the brothers, Robert S. and Martin K., 
became engineers; Daniel. Smith was interested in lead-mining. 
In 1832 the brothers built at Galena their first boat, the "Jo 
Daviess," the machinery for which had been picked by Robert 
Scribe Harris the engineer, from a scrap-heap in Cincinnati. 
Their further investments are shown in the register, post. 

Next in importance to the Harris Brothers Avas Joseph Throck- 
morton. His work on the upper ^Mississippi began in 1828, four 
years before the Harrises launched their first boat at Galena ; and 
ended in 1848, when he transferred his business to the jMissouri. 
During these twenty years he built and commanded nine steam- 
boats. He was the best-known man on the upper river, his boats 
being engaged in transporting troops and supplies from St. Louis 
to the several United States forts located between Rock Island 
and Fort Snelling; also to Fort AVinnebago, on the Wisconsin. 
One of his boats, the "Warrior," took part in August, 1832, in 
the battle of Bad Axe, where she rendered very active and effi- 
cient service.-- It is to be regretted that more is not known of 



21 James Harris was born in Connecticut, Oct. 14, 1777; his wife was 
a native of Delaware County, N. Y., Mar. 24, 1782. 

22 The following extract from the report of Maj. Gen. Alexander 
M&comb, commanding United States army, relates the part taken by 
Captain Throckmorton, with his boat, the "Warrior:" 

On information being received by General Atkinson that the Indians 
had quitted the swamps in the neighborhood of Jhe Four Lakes, and 
moved towards the Mississippi, he despatched instructions to the com- 

[111] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

Throckmorton's life. The writer has been unable to find any 
trace of his descendants, or any contemporary who knew his 
history. He died poor in 1872 at St. Louis, after having won for 
himself several competencies from the profits of his business, 
only to lose all through the destruction of his boats by snags and 
fire. He was peculiarly unfortunate in this respect, even at 
a time when such losses were expected to befall any boat within 
four years from its launching. 

The Atchison brothers, George "W., Joseph, and Pierce, were 
also prominent in steamboat circles during the forties and fifties. 
They were Kentucldans, coming to the upper river from the 
Ohio.-^ Joseph died in 1850 of cholera, on board his boat, the 
"Highland Mary." This disease raged that season the length 
of the river, claiming hundreds of victims, principally among the 
deck passengers. The dead were taken ashore and buried in shal- 
low graves on the islands, from which they were torn at the first 
*'rise" of the river and seen no more. The remaining Atchison 
brothers transferred their business to the ^Missouri soon after 
this calamity, taking the "Highland Mary" with them. 

Another trio of brothers very active in upper river affairs were 
the Lodwicks — Kennedy, M. W., and Preston, who commanded 



manding oflScer at Prairie du Chien to take measures to intercept them, 
should they attempt to descend the Ouisconsin, or cross the Mississippi. 
In consequence of these instructions, a guard and an armed flatboat 
were stationed on the Ouisconsin about twenty-five miles from its 
Junction with the Mississippi, by which means a number of those who 
escaped from the engagement on the Ouisconsin were killed or cap- 
tured. A steamboat in the employ of the Quartermaster's Department, 
with a field-piece, and manned with about twenty men, was despatched 
up the Mississippi [ffom Fort Crawford] to watch the motions of the 
Indians; and on the 1st of August, discovered a large body of them on 
the left bank making preparations to cross the river. The Indians at 
first attempted to deceive our party by declaring themselves to be 
Winnebagoes, and displaying white flags, at the same time inviting 
them to land. But the officer in command being aware of their in- 
tentions, fired upon them, and killed about twenty five of their num- 
ber. The fire was smartly returned by the Indians, but without ef- 
fect. This circumstance fortunately checked the Indians in their at- 
tempt to cross the river, and led to the action of 2nd of August. — 22nd 
Cong., 2nd sess., Exec. Docs., i, no. 2, p. 60. 

The "Warrior" carried the marks of the volleys fired by the Indians, 
as long as she was in service on the river. 

23 They are said to have been brothers of David R. Atchison, senator 
from Missouri, who gave name to the town in Kansas. 

[112] 





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Western River Steamboating 

many of the finest boats in the Minnesota. Packet Company's 
Heet during the whole of its existence, being themselves largely 
interested either as owners of boats or stockliolders in the cor- 
poration. 

As to the general character of the men who officered the early 
steamboats, judgment varies according to different standards. 
An editorial in the Prescott Paraclete of June 15, 1855, favors 
them with the following depreciation : 

Human life is thought little of by the men on the river, and human 
comfort, convenience, or respect is disregarded altogether. In most 
cases of this kind [anent the drowning of a young man from the "City 
Belle" on her up-trip a few days before, of which the editor was a 
witness], there is little feeling or concern expressed by steamboat offt- 
cers at the loss of passengers, especially if it be a steerage [deck] pas- 
senger — as little, in fact, as there would be at losing overboard a boy's 
hat or a lady's handkerchief. The river is navigated, with but few 
exceptions, by a class of lowbred, ungentlemanly, and sometimes ruf- 
fianly vagabonds, who seldom, if ever, treat a person with as much 
respect as a well-bred hound deserves. This we know from personal 
observation on the best boats on the river. 

Capt. Charles J. Allen, corps of engineers, U. S. A., in his re- 
port for the year 1866, on the work of the River Improvement 
Association, gives it as his opinion that ''most of the river pilots 
are possessed of but little knowledge beyond that required in 
turning the wheel." 

The writer knew, personally, two of the officers of the "City 
Belle ' ' at the time when the young man was lost from the boat — 
Capt. Kennedy Lodwick and Chief Clerk Edward V. Dawley. 
Both were educated gentlemen, and I presume as kind-hearted 
as any business men in any other line of endeavor. I also knew, 
personally, the writer of the editorial. He was a young man just 
out of Yale, who had never seen anything more strenuous in the 
way of life than a cane-rusli on the campus. He did not realize 
that a man who fell overboard in front of the wheel on a side- 
wheel boat, was in most eases never seen again. Any attempt to 
recover his body would be only a loss of time to the hundreds of 
passengers who were hastening to their new homes in the North, 
and would be entirely ineffectual in an^^ event. He also made 
the mistake of gauging the breeding and personal deportment 
of Mississippi River captains by the standards of New England 

[113] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

civilization ; just as Captain Allen made the mistake of judging 
the educational attainments of the river pilots by the standards 
of West Point. 

One of the prime recommendations of either a clerk or a captain 
on the river was, that he should have a gentlemanly address and 
be able to make himself agreeable to his passengers. In most 
cases, they fully met the requirement. That they had kind 
hearts is evidenced by such incidents as the landing of Capt. 
Russell Blakeley's steamer at an out-of-the-way point, and the 
sending of a boy up the bluff to get a pitcher of fresh milk for a 
sick baby; or the holding of Capt. William H. Gabbert's boat for 
many hours for a wom:an whose child was born during the inter- 
val. The courage shown by Capt. W. H. Laughton,-* who, during 
his forty or more years on the river, jumped overboard and saved 
from drowning nine persons ; or. the r*onscientious scruples of 
Capt. Orrin Smith, who Avould not run his steamboat on Sunday, 
but tied up at midnight Saturday and remained at the bank 
until midnight Sunday, always holding a meeting on board his 
boat on Sunday morning. Such instances show that the river 
men had as many ideas of morality and kindness as their con- 
temporaries. 

The following compilation gives the names, and so far as ob- 
tainable the official rating, of some of the men who helped to 
open up the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, 
from 1823 to 1870, together with the name of the boat to which 
each was attached, and the date of such service. The compilers 
regret that despite all their efforts their list is not more com- 
plete. 

Officers on the Upper Mississippi, 1823-70 

Able, Dan. 1847 and 1850 capt. "Anthony Wayne;" 1848 capt. "Ocean 
Wave," at St. Paul. 

Adair, J. S. July 20, 1858 elk. "Falls City," at La Crosse. 

Ainsworth, J. C. 1846-48 capt. "Iron City," at St. Paul. 

Ainsworth, S. March 25, 1848 elk. "Iron City," at St. Paul. 

Alford, Pliny A. 1854 capt. "Grey Cloud;" 1857 capt. "White Cloud;" 
1858 capt. "W. H. Denny;" 1858-62 capt. "Northerner;" is buried at 
Hamburg, 111., on a high hill overlooking the river. 



24 He died in 1883 at Platteville. 

[114] 



Western River Steamboating 

Allen, — . 1857 capt. "Harmonia," at St. Paul. 

Allen, J. T. 1845 elk. Totosi," at Burlington. 

Allen, M. S. 1867 elk. "Bannock City;"' after leaving river was sheriff 
of Jackson County, Iowa until his death at Sabula, Iowa. 

Allendorff, Gus. 1866 engr. "Northern Light" when she sunk in Coon 
Slough. 

Allen, L. C. Upper river pilot — one of the best. Is now (1911) liv- 
ing at ease on his 300-acre farm opposite Dutchman's Island, above 
Fort Madison, Iowa. 

Altea, William. July 21, 1843 capt. "Mendota," at Dubuque. 

Anderson, Tom F. Aug. 27, 1845 capt. "Osprey," at Burlington. 

Andrews, — . 1857 capt. "Ocean Wave," at St. Paul. 

Andrews, Edward. Engr. 

Andrews, Lee. Engr. 

Andrews, Lemuel. Built "Clarion" from wreck of "Brazil," sunk by 
ice near Davenport, 1841; capt. lived at Davenport. 

Armstrong, James. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Armstrong, Joseph. 1850 pilot "Yankee," Capt. M. K. Harris; 1854 
pilot "Galena," Capt. Russell Blakeley; April 5, 1855 died at his wheel 
on "Luella" while crossing Beef Slough bar. 

Arnold, John P. Owner, capt., and pilot on Illinois River in the 40's. 
Later, pilot from St. Louis to Galena; 1852 learned river to St. Paul 
on "Nominee," Capt. Orrin Smith; 1853-54' pilot "Nominee;" 1855-56 
pilot "Fanny Harris," Capt. Jones Worden; 1857-60 pilot "Key City." 
In 1861 went South, being in government service as capt. and pilot 
of transports till close of war; in Missouri River trade two seasons; 
capt. of tow-boats for several years in St. Louis and New Orleans 
barge line; died Memphis, 1883. One of the best pilots on upper river. 

Artas, J. Clerk. 

Arthur, James. 1841 elk. 

Asbury, D. R. Capt. "Golden Eagle" when she burned on Missouri 
River below mouth of Quiver; died on board his boat of cholera, 1850*; 
buried at Galena, 111. 

Atchison, George W. 1836 capt. "Dubuque," at Dubuque; 1839 capt. 
"Glaucus;" 1842 capt. "Amaranth." During his river service he built 
and owned, wholly or in part, "Irene," "lone," "Glaucus," "Governor 
Dodge," "Amaranth," and "Missouri Belle." 

Atchison, Joseph. 1845-47 capt. and owner "Lynx;" 1848-50 capt. 
and owner "Highland Mary;" died 1850 of cholera, on board his boat. 

Atchison, Mark. 1842 capt. "Ohio," at Galena. 

Atchison, Pierce. 1845 capt. "Fortune;" 1855 capt. "Golden Bra;"^ 
died at St. Louis, 1855 or 1856. 

Atchison, W. H. 1847 capt. "Kentucky," at Dubuque. 

[115] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

Austin, E. P. Clerk. 

Aymond, F. 1859 capt. "Jeanette Roberts," in Minnesota River trade. 

Bab, E. H. 1846 on "Uncle Toby," at Savanna. 

Bacon, Charles. 1848 on "Edward Bates," at Burlington. 

Baldwin, — . 1849 capt. "Prairie State; 1855 capt. ''Fire Canoe." 

Ball, J. J. F. 1856-57 elk. "War Eagle," at La Crosse. 

Ball, S. Oct. 9, 1846 elk. "Bridgewater," at Savanna. 

Barger, — . 1845 elk. "Lynx;" 1846-48 capt. "Red Wing;" 1853 capt. 
"G. W. Sparhawk." 

Barnard, George. May 14, 1843 capt. "Boreas" at Burlington. 

Barnard, James. Sept. 11, 1843 on "Boreas" at Burlington. 

Barnes, Charles L. Steamboat agent; born 1827 in Canton, N. Y.; 
1855 came to Hastings, Minn., agent for Minnesota Packet Company 
until 1857; removed to Prescott where till his death June 19, 1903, was 
agent for all the principal steamboat companies. He seldom missedt 
meeting an incoming boat, day or night, for forty-five years; it was 
asserted on the river that pilots always "held on" his tall silk hat 
when making a landing at Prescott. 

Barry, — . 1857 capt. "A. G. Mason" at St. Paul. 

Barthona, A. G. 1819 on keel-boat; 1827 on "Trenton;" 1838 founder 
of packet line St. Louis and Keokuk; 1854 elk. "Wisconsin." 

Bartlett, R. F. May 14, 1848 on "Lucy Bertram" at Dubuque. 

Bates, David G. Born in Virginia; came to Galena in 1819 on a keel- 
boat with a crew of Frenchmen; 1822 engaged in Indian trade and 
smelting at Dubuque; 1824 bought at St. Louis "Rufus Putnam;" 1825 
to Fort Snelling; later built "Galena," on which he made the trip to 
Fort Snelling in 1828; Capt. Russell Blakeley saj's that "he was a 
very genial gentleman;" died at Galena, Nov. 22, 1850, aged 58 years; 
buried in the old cemetery. 

Bates, Walter. Capt. and owner "Adelia," which he sold in April 
1857 to Capt. William Gillette of Dubuque. 

Beasley, Benjamin F. Engr. "Bannock City" at Galena. 

Beebe, Edward H. 1847-49, capt. "Dubuque" at Galena. 

Beedle, Hiram. 1852-53 pilot "Enterprise," Capt. W. H. Gabbert, on 
Wisconsin River; 1859 pilot "Grey Eagle" and "Northern Light;" 
1860-61 pilot "Northern Light;" died at Bellevue, la. 

Beedle, Hiram Jr. Pilot several j-ears; now boating on the Yukon, 
Alaska. 

Bell, Edwin. 1859 capt. "Anson Northrup;" 1861-63 capt. "Pome- 
roy," both in Minnesota River trade. 

Belt, William S. 1848 capt. "Edward Bates" at Burlington. 

Berdeau, J. F. June 13, 1843 elk. "Rosalie" at Burlington. 

[116] 



Western River Steamboating 

Berger, Jacob. Learned his trade with "Billy" Hamilton; ran many 
years on river; 1911 chief engr. Davenport ferry. 

Bersie, Hiram. 1838 capt. "Irene;" 1844-45 capt. and part owner "St. 
Croix;" 1846-48, capt. and owner "Bon Accord;" after leaving rivw 
lived at Buffalo, 111., where he died in 1859. 

Bert, Thomas H. Sept. 1, 1843 elk. "Iowa" at Dubuque. 

Biesong, Andrae. Old-time raft pilot; lived and died at Prairie du 
Chien. 

Bigelow, Volney A. Owner and capt. "Alfred Toll;" in the rafting 
business for several years; later built and commanded "Jessie B" 
La Crosse. Known as one of the best raft-towing pilots on the river; 
was in partnership with Lafayette Holmes, of La Crosse; together they 
built and ran as rafter "Quickstep;" died April 16, 1904, at La Crosee; 
his fine collection of steamboat pictures now in possession of the 
Wisconsin State Historical Society. 

Bill, E. C. Steamboat builder, born in Connecticut 1821; early emi- 
grated to Ohio; employed on Great Lakes sailing vessels; 1855 emi- 
grated to Indiana and became lumberman. About 1866 moved to Read's 
Landing, Minn.; 1867-68 built "Buckeye" used for rafting logs and lum- 
ber; later capt. "Jessie Bill," a small stern-wheeler named for his 
granddaughter. During his later years agent at Winona for the Dia- 
mond Jo Line; died at that place, Oct. 15, 1902. 

Bill, Fred A. Son of preceding. 1868-71 elk. "Buckeye;" later elk. 
"Dakota," on Red River of the North, between Moorhead, Minn., and 
Winnipeg, Canada, Capt. Jerry Webber; 1873 elk. "Imperial," of Dia- 
mond Jo Line; 1S74 elk. "Ida Fulton;" 1875-80, elk. "Josie" and "Libbie 
Conger," with short periods on "Arkansas," "Diamond ' Jo," "Tidal 
Wave;" 1880-93 at Dubuque as general passenger and freight agent 
Diamond Jo Company; is living, 1911, at Minneapolis. 

Bipell, James L. 1850 pilot "Bon Accord," that later sunk above 
Mundy's Landing on the Missouri. 

Bipette, Paul. 1815-20 keel-boatman; 1820 pilot "Oben C. Pike." 

Bisbee, — . April 15, 1868 capt. "Ida Fulton," at McGregor, Iowa. 

Bissell, James. 1852-54 capt. "New St. Paul;" 1857-58 capt. "J. Bis- 
sell." 

Black, James T. 1859-62 pilot "Fanny Harris," "Key City," "Golden 
Era," and other boats of the line; in Minnesota Packet Company; 1862 
went down river and was pilot "Eugene Avery," owned by Eugene 
Avery, sutler of the 9th Iowa Infantry, one of the first boats to go in 
Yazoo Pass, conveying troops in the rear of Vicksburg; 1868 died at 
Cairo, 111. 

Blair, Walter A. Successful steamboatman, now living (1911) at 
Davenport, Iowa; learned the river under George Tromley, pilot; 

[117] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

large owner in, and general manager of Northern Steamboat line, of 
which ex-Gov. S. R. Van Sant, of St. Paul, is president; season of 1911 
was captain of side-wheel packet "Morning Star,' between Davenport 
and St. Paul. 

Blaisdell, Nathan. 1856 Engr. "Kate Cassell" lived at Prescott, Wis. 

Blaisdell, William A. Engr. 

Blake, W. H. 1857 capt. "James Lyon;" capt. and owner "Lake 
City;" established the St. Louis & Memphis Packet Co. 

Blakeley, Russell. 1847 elk. "Argo;" 1848 elk. "Dr. Franklin;" 

1852 capt. "Dr. Franklin;" 1853 capt. "Nominee;" 1855 capt, "Ga- 
lena;" 1856 appointed general agent of Minnesota Packet Co. at Dun- 
leith, a position which he held for several j'ears; he wrote' a very in- 
teresting and valuable paper on the "History of the Discovery of the 
Mississippi River and the Advent of Commerce in Minnesota," which 
was published as part 3, vol. viii, Minn. Hist. Colls., April 1, 1898; 
died at his home in St. Paul about 1902. 

Blakeley, W. 1844 elk. "Western Belle," at Burlington. 

Blakesley, Lud. Twin brother of Willis Blakesley, pilot for many 
years before the war; lived at Quincy, 111., where he died. 

Blakesley, Willis. Pilot for many years before the war; 1859 pilot 
"Northerner" in her great race with the "Key City" for the cham- 
pionship of the upper river, from Stillwater to Prescott, which was 
won by a length by the "Key City;" 1877 pilot "Minneapolis;" lived 
at Quincy, 111., where he died. 

Blanchard, W. H. Secretary and treasurer of the Minnesota Packet 
Company at Dunleith^ 111., for several years. 

Blish, George C. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company for many years; 

1853 on "Dr. Franklin;" 1858 chief clk. "Galena," when she burned at 
Red Wing landing; reported as living, but place not stated. 

Bloomer, Edward. Clerk. 

Blopond, C. D. On "Archer," at Burlington. 

Boggs, William. Many years engr. on Mississippi and St. Croix 
rivers; 1858 engr. "H. S. Allen;" lived at Prescott, Wis. 

Boland, James. Capt. in Diamond Jo Line; 1881 capt. "Mary Mor- 
ton;" later capt. "Pittsburgh." 

Boland, William. 1859 began river life as deck-hand on "Northern 
Light," in company with Dan Hall, John Killeen, and Harry Leitch; 
died on Missouri River. 

Boon, B. H. 1843 clk. "Boreas," at Galena. 

Bouchea, Peter F. Early raft pilot, settled at site of Hudson; mar- 
ried Indian woman; died at Hudson. 

Bowen, C. J. 1844 clk. "Waverly," at Davenport. 

Bowers, E. E. April 26, 1859 clk. "General Pike," at La Crosse. 

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Western River Steamboating 

Bowman, Robert. Dec. 3, 1S56 mate "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

Boyce, Samuel. Aug. 26, 1853 elk. "Dr. Franklin," at La Crosse; May 
1854 elk. "Galena;" 1856 capt. "Luella." 

Boyd, J. F. 1855 capt. "Ben Bolt." 

Brady, — . 1857 capt. "Editor." 

Brassau, George. Pilot and captain for many years in rafting trade 
between Stillwater and St. Louis; now (1911) living in retirement at 
Stillwater, Minn. 
.Brickie, — . 1857 capt. "La Crosse." 

Brierley, F. H. 1840 elk. "Chippewa." 

Briggs, — . July 20, 1836 capt. "Olive Branch," at Dubuque. 

Briggs, William. 1857 engr. "Grey Eagle." 

Brisbois, William M. 1864 cub pilot "Ocean Wave;" ran for many 
years on Northern and Diamond Jo lines; 1911 living at Prairie du 
Chien, aged 72 years. 

Brooks, John. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company; 1853 on "Nom- 
inee," at La Crosse; 1854 capt. "Admiral;" 1855 clk. "Admiral; with 
E. V. Holcomb and others bought the "Admiral," and sent her up the 
Missouri, where in 1856 she. was snagged and sunk; raised and ran for 
several years thereafter on the Missouri. 

Brooks, Leonard T. 1841, 1843 clk. "Rosalie." 

Brown, L. 1855-59 capt. and owner "Wenona," on Minnesota and St. 
Croix rivers. 

Brown, Lewis. Steamboat clk.; born in Vermont, May 12, 1833; came 
to Wisconsin in 1852, and settled in Hudson; entered river service 
about 1861, retired in 1868; clk. "Ida Fulton," "Bannock City," and 
other boats of the Diamond Jo Line; died Feb. 22, 1869, at Lawrence, 
Kans. His sister, Mrs. A. Comebacker, is living at Hudson, 1911. 

Brown, Sherman. Pilot in Diamond Jo Line; 1877 pilot "Minneapo- 
lis;" was in pilot house of "Libbie Conger" when Andrew Coleman 
dropped dead at his v,'heel on the upper rapids, taking the wheel as 
Coleman fell; died at Pleasant Hill, 111., about five miles inland from 
opposite Louisiana, Mo. 

Bryant, — . 1856-57 chief clk. "Mansfield." 

Bryson, Alonzo. Former pilot and capt.; living (April, 1911) at 
Davenport. 

Buffington, G. A. 1859 capt. and owner "Chippewa," running between 
Read's Landing, Minn., and Eau Claire. 

Buford, L. D. Sept. 14, 1851 clk. "Excelsior." 

Buford, Thomas J. 1861 capt. "Metropolitan;" later in season, 
"Henry Clay;" afterwards supt. of Northern Line, with headquarters 
at St. Louis; his home was at Rock Island, where he died. 

Buisson, Joseph. Raft and steamboat pilot on upper river for many 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

years. Is living (1911) at Wabasha, Minn., engaged in writing a his- 
tory of his experiences on the river. 

Bunk, R. C. June 28, 1848 elk. "Lucy Bertram." 

Burdeau, I. F. June 13, 1843 elk. "Rosalie," at Burlington. 

Burke, William. 1857 capt. "Montauk." Commenced as deck-hand, 
then mate, and later captain of many boats of the Davidson White 
Collar Line. After Davidson retired, Burke went into the Diamond Jo 
Line, and is now (1911) capt. "Dubuque," of the Streckfus Line, suc- 
cessor of the Diamond Jo. Captain Burke has been very successful; 
liis home is in St. Louis. 

Burnham, O. J. June 4, 1841 elk. "Eliza." 

Burns, Thomas. Born Boston, 1836; came to Galena 1842; at age of 
21 licensed as pilot between Galena and St. Paul, in Minnesota Packet 
Company; on "War Eagle," "Key City," "Itasca," "Fanny Harris," 
"Kate Cassell," and many other boats; 1861 raised a company for 
45th Illinois Infantry; was at capture of Forts Henry and Donelson; 
discharged for disability; went back to piloting until 1888, when he 
was appointed by President Cleveland local inspector of steamboats at 
Galena; 1895 died in office, and is buried at Galena. 

Butler, William. 1863 capt. "G. H. Wilson," at La Crosse. 

Byrne, Joseph F. April, 1859 elk. "Pembina," at McGregor, 

Cahalin, Edward. 1844 pilot "St. Croix;" 1856 pilot "Brazil," and 
later in season "Adelia;" uncle of William Kelly, of St. Louis. 

Campbell, Benjamin H. One of the Campbell Brothers, of Galena, 
steamboat owners and wholesale grocers 1850-60; 1852 built "Ben 
Campbell;" largely interested in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Campbell, George W. Firm of Campbell, Jones & Co., wholesale 
grocers. Galena; stockholder in Minnesota Packet Company; died in 
Chicago, 1882. 

Campbell, Iran R. 1819 on keel-boat "Traveller." 

Campbell, James W. 1857-61 capt. "Henry Clay;" in spring of 1861, 
towed barge of war material from Fort Snelling to St. Louis; barge 
struck island at head of Coon Slough and sunk, cargo being a total 
loss; died at Fort Madison, Iowa, 1909. More than 50 years on river. 

Cameron, — . May 18, 1836 capt. "Quincy," at Dubuque. 

Carlton, E. 1857 elk. "Envoy." 

Carlyle, — . 1828 capt. "Red Rover." 

Carran, A. 1852 elk. "Audubon." 

Carroll, Charles D. Clerk in early days; living at St. Louis 1909. 

Carroll, James H. Pilot for many years in the Davidson Line; pilot 
on lighthouse tender "Lily;" died in Chicago. 

Carver, J. L. April 6, 1877 engr. "Diamond Jo." 

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Western River Steamboating 

Casey, — . 1857 elk. "Saracen." 

Chamberlain, Clarence A. Clerk; died at Eau Claire, Feb. 17, 1911, 
aged 55. 

Chambers, Ludlow. 1847 capt. "Monona." 

Champlin, A. T. 1854 capt. "Navigator;" 1857 capt. "City Belle." 

Cheek, U. Clerk. 

Clark, J. 1827 capt. "Josephine;" 1828 capt. "Missouri Fulton;" 
1828-29 capt. "Josephine;" owned a fine farm at Buffalo, 111., where he 
lived winters, and where he died. 

Clark, Warren L. Brother of preceding; bought the "Ben Campbell" 
from Minnesota Packet Company; it was soon after burned at Clark's 
Landing, near Buffalo, 111. 

Clifford, A. A. 1864 elk. "Island City." 

Clifford, Ray P. 1831 elk "Astoria." 

Cline, — . 1848 capt. "Odd Fellow." 

Clune, Steve. 1850-60 engr. in Minnesota Packet Company; living at 
Galena, 1861. 

Cochrane, John. 1854 elk. "Galena;" 1856 elk. "Ocean Wave;" 1858 
elk. "Milwaukee;" 1860-61 capt. "Milwaukee;" 1863 capt. "Northern 
Belle." 

Coffin, Charles A. 1857-58 elk. "War Eagle." 

Cole, George B. 1835 capt. "Dubuque;" 1836 capt. "Palmyra," at Fort 
Snelling; 1845-46 capt. "Uncle Toby." 

Coleman, Andrew. For many years rapids pilot, stationed at Daven- 
port to take boats over upper rapids; 1851 pilot "Mary C.;" died at 
his wheel on "Libbie Conger," going into Moline Chain, on upper rap- 
ids. 

Coleman, James. Brother of preceding; for many years before the 
war pilot in Minnesota Packet Company; in Northern Line Company 
after war; lived at Davenport. 

Comstock, M. C. Capt. before war; lived at Galena. 

Conager, William. Dec. 3, 1856 mate "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

Condler, J. July 26, 1853 elk. "Excelsior," at La Crosse. 

Conger, Ben A. 1836 on "Laclede;" later elk. in Northern Line; 
April 6, 1877 capt. of "Diamond Jo;" was living in 1909. 

Connelly, P. 1842 elk. "Amaranth;" 1845 capt. "Galena." 

Connelly, Thomas. Engr. in Minn. Packet Co.; later in Diamond 
Jo line. 

Conner, Thomas D. 1856 capt. "Lady Franklin" early in season, 
later yielding command to Kennedy Lodwick; 1861 agent of Minnesota 
Packet Company at Galena. 

Connolly, M. April 12, 1832 elk. "Don." 

Conway, William. Mate "Key City;" 1857 capt. "Excelsior." 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Cook, Samuel. 1857 elk. "Kate Cassell;" 1858 elk. "Fanny Harris;" 
1859 elk. "Northern Light;" 1860 elk. "Ocean Wave;" 1861-66 elk. 
"War Eagle;" also for short periods elk. "Itasea" and "Key City." 

Cooley, K. C. 1857 elk. "Northern Light." 

Cooley, O. H. P. 1866 elk. "Northern Light," When she sank in 
Coon Slough. 

Coones, — . 1845 eapt. "St. Louis Oak." 

Cooper, J. C. July 14, 1857 elk. "Northern Belle." 

Cordry, Thomas. July 1, 1858 mate "Galena," when she burned at 
Red Wing landing. 

Cormack, Gideon. French pilot with Minnesota Packet Company, in 
40's and early 50's. 

Cormack, John. French floating-raft pilot in the 40's; living at St. 
Cloud, Minn., about 1880. 

Cormack, Pleasant. French pilot engaged in rafting in the 40':; 
afterward pilot with Minnesota Packet Company between Galena and 
St. Paul. 

Cossen, — . 1849 eapt. "American Eagle," at Galena. 

Cowin, A. H. 1856 clerk. 

Cowles, Charles W. Clk. in Diamond Jo Line for many years; built 
"Diamond Jo" at Woodman on Wisconsin River; 1902 died at 
McGregor. 

Crapster, W. H. 1852 eapt. "Badger State;" 1858-59 eapt. "Chip- 
pewa;" for several years eapt. lighthouse tender "Lily;" died at St. 
Louis, Mo. 

Crossle, Henry. Nov. 13, 1836 on "Wisconsin," at Burlington. 

Crowley, — . Ma3% 1858 clk. "Henry Clay," at La Crosse. 

Culver, — . 1828 eapt. "Missouri Fulton," at Galena. 

Cupp, William. One of the earliest pilots on upper river; special 
rapids pilot for both rapids; in Minnesota Packet Company; 1844-47 
eapt. and owner "St. Croix." 

Gushing, Thomas. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company; 1861-62 pilot 
"Fanny Harris;" 1863 eapt. "War Eagle;" later eapt. "New St. Paul;" 
was an opera singer in New York before coming West; died in La 
Crosse. 

Dales, — . May, 1856 chief clk. "Brazil," at Wyalusing. 

Darst, — . May 24, 1853 elk. "Ben Campbell," at La Crosse; May, 
1854 elk. "Admiral," at Wyalusing. 

Davidson, M. L. One of founders of La Crosse and St. Paul Packet 
Company and Northwestern Union Packet Company. 

Davidson, Peyton S. Brother of preceding; 1856 mate "Jacob Tra- 
ber;" 1860-61 eapt. "Favorite;" 1863 eapt. "McLellan;" supt. of North- 
western Packet Company and later of Northern Line Packet Company, 

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Genesis of Western River Steamboating 

Jn both of which he with his brothers was largely interested; estab- 
lished a ship-yard at La Crosse where some of the finest boats were 
built and repaired. 

Davidson, Thomas L. Half-brother of preceding; capt. of many boats 
in the Davidson lines. 

Davidson, William F. Born in Lawrence County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1825; 
father steamboatman on Ohio; instructed in river matters; capt. 
"Gondola" at age of twenty; 1856 with his brother Peyton estab- 
lished a steamboat line on the Minnesota River, with "Frank Steele" 
and "Favorite," on that river, and "^olian" as a connecting boat be- 
tween St. Paul and La Crosse; 1859 added "Moses McLellan," "G. H. 
Wilson," and "Winona;" in autumn of 1861 La Crosse & St. Paul Packet 
Company consolidated with the Minnesota Packet Company; May 1, 
1866, White Collar Line and Northwestern Line consolidated under the 
name of Northwestern Union Packet Company, Captain Davidson presi- 
dent, John Lawler of Prairie du Chien general manager, George A. 
Blanchard of Dubuque secretary, William H. Rhodes of St. Paul treas- 
urer, William E. Wellington of Dubuque, P. S. Davidson of La Crosse, 
superintendents; becoming interested in religious matters Captain 
Davidson abolished the bars from all the boats which he controlled, 
and did personal work to reform his employees; continued in the 
steamboat business until his death at St. Paul May 26, 1887; left one 
son, Edward E. Davidson, of St. Paul, and a daughter, Sallie, who re- 
sided at the old home in Ohio. 

Dawley, A. H. Son of D. V. Dawley; elk. for many years; still 
living (1911) at Le Claire, Iowa. 

Davis, Charles. 1864 pilot "Damsel," with William Fisher for partner. 

Davis, Daniel. Early raft pilot; among first to begin "towins 
through;" lived at Le Claire, Iowa. 

Davis, John B. Began on Ohio River, where he was capt. at age of 
nineteen; 1859 capt. "Freighter;" attempted to sail during high water, 
across height of land from Big Stone Lake, Minn., to Red River of 
North, boat grounded on prairie and wrecked about ten miles from 
the lake; machinery taken out and put in new boat on Red River; 
1860 capt. "War Eagle;" 1861 capt. "Northern Light;" later capt. in 
D-iamond Jo Line for several years. 

Davis, T. B. River capt.; is still (1912) on river, in sand and 
gravel business at Rock Island. 

Dawley, Daniel G. May 4, 1841 capt. "Indian Queen," at Burlington. 

Dawley, Daniel V. 1855-56 elk. "Golden Era;" 1856 elk. "Galena;" 
1857 elk. "Henry Clay;" elk. of many other boats of Minnesota Packet 
Company; died at Le Claire, Iowa. 

Day, Henry R. 1848 and 1851 capt. "Uncle Toby." 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Daj% James S. April 20, 1838 on 'Quincy," at Burlington. 

Dayer, W. June 15, 1833 on "O'Connell," at Burlington. 

Dean, William. 1859 mate "Golden Era;" later on several other boats 
of Minnesota Packet Company and Diamond Jo Line; fell from boat 
and was drowned at Dubuque. 

DeMarali, Louis. French-Indian pilot, at first raft pilot from 1830 to 
early 40's; lived at Prairie du Chien. 

Deming, R. G. 1854 elk. "Admiral," at Wyalusing. 

Denny, John. Dec. 3, 1856 carpenter "Adelia" at La Crosse. 

Dickinson, — . IMay 18, 1836 capt. "Banner," at Dubuque. 

Dierdorff, William 0. 1850 on "Wisconsin," at Burlington. 

Dikeman, W. W. Pilot, living (1908) at Lansing, Iowa. 

Diley, George. 1868 engr. "Ida Fulton," at McGregor. 

Dinan, — . 1857 elk. "Montauk," at Wyalusing, 

Dinan, J. W. 1845 elk. "Galena," at Galena. 

Dintock, W. Clerk in 40's. 

Dodge, Leroy. 1836 elk.; later pilot; still later capt. of one of his 
boats, "Ben Campbell;" 1842 on "lone." 

Dodge, Tom. Engineer. 

Dolson, L. Engineer, brother of following; lived at Dubuque. 

Dolson, Stephen. 1852-60 pilot in Minnesota Packet Company; later, 
until about 1906 in Diamond Jo Line; died (about 1907) at Dubuque. 

Dolson, Thomas. Brother of preceding; in Minnesota Packet Com- 
pany, Northern, and Diamond Jo lines; lived in Dubuque; for a num- 
ber of years pilot on Yukon. 

Dolson, William. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company; lived in. 
Dubuque. 

Drenning, Thomas G. 1850-60 pilot in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Dubois, Joseph D. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years; 1857-59 clk. "Northern Light." 

Dunn, Charles. April, 1841 clk. "Monsoon," at Burlington. 

Durant, E. W. Pilot, at Stillwater, Minn.; engaged in rafting, as 
owner. 

Eddy, Charles. Chief clk. "Northern Light," when she sank in Coon 
Slough, April, 1866; in Minnesota Packet Company several years. 

Eden, Robert C. Younger son of English baronet; editor Oshkosh 
Northwestern: 1859 capt. and owner of "Enterprise," small side-wheel 
boat from Lake Winnebago; 1864 major of 37th Wisconsin Infantry, 
serving in the 9th Army Corps until end of war; returned to England 
and entered the ministry; is now dead. 

Estes, J. B. 1855 capt. "Hamburg." 

Fanning, John. 1856-57 engr. in Minnesota Packet Company; lived at 
Dubuque. 

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Western River Steamboating 

Farley, John P. 1864 chief elk. "Damsel;" also elk. on "Key City" 
and "Northern Light;" for many years agent of Northern Line at Du- 
buque; died in North Dakota. 

Farris, Charles H. Son of following; 1869 began life on river as 
"cub" pilot "Minnesota;" later made a specialty of rapids piloting, ia 
which he continued until 1897; took the "Gem City" over the rapids ia 
one hour and one minute — the best time ever made; living (1911) at 
Montrose, Iowa. 

Farris, Robert. Born May 4, 1824; commenced steamboating on. the 
Des Moines River; 1851-61 capt. and pilot "Alice," "Colonel Morgan," 
"Clara Hine," "Ad. Hine," and "Des Moines City;" 1862 began piloting 
on Des Moines rapids on "Bill Henderson," later on "Dan Hine," also 
piloted packets over the rapids until the United States canal opened in 
1876; appointed lock-master of the guard lock at head of rapids, ser- 
ving several years; afterwards pilot on several government boats; lived 
at Farmington, Iowa; 1905 came to Montrose, and there died at the 
home of his son. May 13, 1908. 

Faucette, William. 1854 chief elk. "War Eagle;" 1861 capt. "Fanny 
Harris;" 1862 capt. "Alhambra;" lived at Galena. 

Fay, — . 1828 capt. "Indiana," at Fort Snelling. 

Ferrall, John. 1841 elk. "Falcon," at Burlington. 

Finney, John. March 20, 1845 elk. "Dubuque," at Burlington. 

Fisher, William. Born in New York state; served as seaman on g:reat 
lakes; 1852 came to Galena; learned the river on "Ben Campbell," Capt 
W. Lodwick; 1853 on "War Eagle" with William White and John King; 
served on "Ben Campbell," "Audubon," "Banjo," "James Raymond," 
and many other boats; with Capt. Brock of St. Louis as partner, took 
"City of Quincy," sixteen-hundred-ton New Orleans packet, from St. 
Louis to St. Paul and back; served three years in the Union army; 
lived at Galena where he died in 190S. 

Fithian, Thomas M. 1843 on "Boreas," at Burlington. 

Flaherty, Thomas F. July 20, 1836 capt. "Emerald," at Dubuque; 
later in season capt. "Wisconsin," at Burlington. 

Flanigan, P. 1870 engr. "Red Wing," at Burlington. 

Ford, Rufus. 1844 on "Patriot," at Burlington; 1853 capt. "Di Ver- 
non." 

Forse, William. 1845 on "Iron City." 

Franz, August. Retired pilot, living at La Crosse. 

Frasier, D. M. 1844 on "Hannibal." 

Frazier, William N. 1844 elk. "Hannibal," at Burlington. 

French, — . 1857 capt. "Kate French," at St. Paul. 

French, — . 1862 elk. "Canada," at St. Paul. 

Frick, C. J. 1874 elk. "Gate City," at Galena. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Fulton, L. 1859 capt. "Chippewa Falls," running from Read's Land- 
ing to Eau Claire. 

Furman, Charles. 1857 elk. "Editor," at Wyalusing. 

Gabbert, William H. Born Memphis, May 14, 1823; 1846-47 bar- 
tender "Yankee;" 1848 elk. "Yankee;" 1849-51 capt. "Enterprise," from 
Galena to Portage; 1852-53 capt. "Clarion," Wisconsin River; 1856 capt. 
"Alhambra;" 1857 capt. "Granite State;" 1858-59 capt. "War Eagle;" 
1860 capt. "Fanny Harris;" 1861 capt. "Golden Era;" 1862 and 1866,. 
capt. "Northern Light;" died at Davenport, Iowa, 1906. 

Gaines, John. 1824-34 keel-boatman. 

Galland, W. 1845 elk. "Mermaid," at Burlington. 

Galvin, Dennis. 1850-60 engr. in Minnesota Packet Company; lived 
at Galena. 

Gardapie, Joe. French-Indian raft pilot from Prairie du Chien; later 
on "War Eagle;" 1868 on "John C. Gault;" his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ber- 
nard Scofield, is living (1911) at Prairie du Chien; and his daughter, 
Mrs. F. Wettenhall, at Wabasha. 

Gaynor, Patrick. Pilot "Ocean Wave," when she burned about 1868 
at Frontenac, Minn., no lives lost. Captain George Knapp, of Osceola, 
and Captain William Tibbals, of Dubuque, each attempted to get the 
bell of the ""Ocean Wave" — the sweetest-toned bell on the river; Cap- 
tain Knapp got the bell, but it was cracked and worthless. (See Mer- 
rick, Old Times on the Mississippi, p. 33.) 

Gear, H. H. Capt. for many years, also in lead-mining at Galena. 

Gilbert, — . 1855 capt. "Falls City," at St. Paul. 

Gill, Charles F. Oct. 16, 1856 on "Minnesota Belle," at Burlington. 

Gillett, William. 1856 elk. "Adelia," at La Crosse; April, 1857 capt. 
and owner "Adelia," just bought from Capt. W. Bates, at Dubuque. ■ 

Gilman, Sam A. June 15, 1843 elk. "Osage," at Burlington. 

Gilpatrick, Henry. Pilot in :Minnesota Packet Company for many- 
years. 

Girdon, George W. Born May 13, 1814; 1835 came to Galena; same 
year capt. "Heroine;" capt. on river for a number of years; appointed 
hull inspector at Galena, holding the oflBce several terms; died in Ga- 
lena after 1878. 

Girdon, G. R. Nephew of preceding; 1850 elk. "Yankee;" 1856 elk. 
"Hamburg." 

Gleim, Ben. V. Clk. in 40's. 

Gleim, E. H. 1832-35 clk. "Warrior," was in battle of Bad Axe; May 
18, 1836 capt. "Warrior," at Dubuque, succeeding Capt. Throckmorton; 
June 22, 1836 capt. "Wisconsin," at Dubuque; 1846 capt. "Monona;" 
1854-56 capt. "Royal Arch;" 1856 capt. "Ocean Wave;" also "Pawnee" 

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Western River Steamboating 

and "Highlander;" died of consumption, at De Soto House, Galena, 
June 17, 1856; was known as a very capable oflficer. 

Gleim, E. H. May 5, 1S46 elk. "Bridgewater," at Burlington; 1856 
elk. "War Eagle," at Wyalusing; 1857 chief elk. "Grey Eagle." 

Glenn, William. Known as "one-eyed Billy" Glenn; 1857 chief engr. 
"Hope No. 2." 

Gody, Alexander. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years. 

Goldsmith, B. 1844 on "Mermaid," at Burlington. 

GoU, Cephas B, On river in 1838; capt. "Galena;" 1854 capt. 
"Henrietta;" 1856 capt. "Greek Slave;" 1861 capt. "Henry Clay." 

Goll, John. Pilot; knew the river from New Orleans to St. Paul; one 
of the best pilots on the river; was on watch when "Nominee" was 
snagged and sunk at Britt's Landing, 1854; died at St. Louis. 

Goodell, — . 1857 capt. "Progress," at St. Paul. 

Gorman, M. E. 1844 elk. "General Brooke," at Burlington. 

Gossett, John. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Co., 1850-60. 

Gossett, William. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Co., 1850-60. 

Gray, — . 1839 capt. "Gipsy," at Fort Snelling. 

Gray, Isaac. 1860-62 capt. "H. S. Allen," on St. Croix River; killed 
by fall from his house, in Oregon. 

Gray, R. C. Born in Allegheny County, Pa., Sept. 24, 1822; elk. 
"Louisville," St. Louis to New Orleans; 1841 elk. "Lehigh," Capt. U. C. 
Gray his brother; 1842 elk. "Evaline," St. Louis and Pittsburgh; 1843 
elk. "Allegheny," capt. William Dean, St. Louis and Pittsburgh; 1857-60 
capt. "Denmark," of which he was owner; 1856 capt. "Henrietta;" 1860 
built "Hawkeye State," of which he was captain; later made his home 
in Pittsburgh where he conducted a shipyard; he introduced the cal- 
liope on the river, putting one on "Denmark;" died at New York, 
May 28, 1888. 

Green, — . 1846-68 "Red Wing." 

Green, — . May, 1856 elk. "Luella" at Wyalusing. 

Green, Asa B. Capt. and owner of "Equator," wrecked on St. Croix 
Lake, 1858; came from Chippewa River; was a Methodist minister, 
served as chaplain of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry. 

Greene, Montraville. 1856 elk. "Luella;" 1858-59 capt. "W. L. Ewing;" 
1860 capt. "Muscatine." 

Greenlee, — . 1857 capt. "Chippewa," at St. Paul. 

Gregg, Cephas. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company, living in 1909. 

Griffiths, James. 1850-60 engr. Minnesota Packet Company; living at 
Gialena, 1861. 

Griffiths, Thomas H. 1840-1841 capt. "Chippewa;" 1852-55 capt. 



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"York State;" 1857-59 capt. and owner "Pembina;" living in St. Louis, 
1909. 

Grinnell, S. Sept. 12, 1852 elk. "Hindoo," at Burlington; elk. in 
Northern Line; later on "St. Paul" Capt. William Burke; died at Keo- 
kuk, Iowa. 

Haines, Ben E. 1856 on "Jenny Lind," at Burlington. 

Hale, — . 1863 capt. "Pearl," frozen in at Newport, Minn., Nov. 14, 
for all winter. 

Halliday, Edward W. Oct. 1856 elk. "Golden Era," at Wyalusing; 
May 1855 elk. "Lady Franklin;" 1903 was living at Cairo, 111. 

Hall, Alfred. Born in Attica, N. Y.; lived at Hudson, Wis.; entered 
the steamboat service at the age of thirty-one and served as clerk for 
about fourteen years, retiring about 1876; was on "War Eagle," "Phil 
Sheridan," "Keokuk," "City of St. Paul," and "Winona;" died Aug. 25, 
1895. His wife, Mrs. Mary B. Hall, is living (1911) at Hudson. 

Hall, Dan. 1857 deck-hand "Hope No, 2;" later on "Camden;" 1859 
deck-hand "Northern Light;" later in season second mate of same; 
1864 second mate "Northern Light;" also on "G. H. Gray" and "Mollie 
Mohler;" later first mate "Northern Belle," and "Belle of La Crosse;" 
was living April, 1910, at Trufant, Mich. 

Hall, Peter. 1851 capt. "Black Hawk," on Wisconsin River; Capt 
Hall spent many winters in a small boat drifting down the river as far 
as New Orleans, collecting Indian relics and other curiosities for the 
museum at Davenport, where he lived. 

Hall, Wilfred F. Pilot in the 40's. 

Hamilton, William H. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years; 1860-61 on "Fanny Harris;" on "Galena" when she burned at 
Ked Wing, July 1858; entered United States service in 1862 as engr. 
on gunboats; was mentioned in general orders for bravery in handling 
his engines while under fire; died near St. Louis in the 80's. 

Hann, Peter. Pilot; 1853 on "Di "Vernon," on special excursion St. 
Louis to St. Paul. 

Hardesty, John. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Hargus, Charles. One of the best clerks on the river; 1850-60 chief 
on many boats of the Minnesota Packet Company including "Royal 
Arch," "Golden State," "Kate Cassell," "Fanny Harris," and "War 
Eagle;" lived at Dubuque, where he served as city recorder for many 
years, and where he was highly respected and greatly esteemed; 
died at Dubuque Aug. 10, 1878. 

Harlow, Sam. Pilot and capt. 1854; 1855 capt. "Luella;" 1856 capt. 
"Kate Cassell;" lived in Dubuque. 

Harold, George. Early raft pilot. 

[128] 




Daniel Smith Harris 



Western River Steamboating 

. Harold, Pembroke. Early raft pilot. 

Harris, Daniel Smith. Born in Courtright, N. Y., July 24, 1808; 
came to Galena on keel-boat "Colonel Bumford;" engaged in lead-min- 
ing and steamboating; built, owned (wholly or in part), and captained 
the following: 1832-34 "Jo Daviess;" 1835 "Hermione;" 1836 "Fron- 
tier;" 1837 "Smelter;" 1838 "Pre-emption;" 1839 "Relief;" 1840 "Sut- 
ler;" 1841-44 "Otter;" 1845 "War Eagle" and "Time and Tide;" 1846-47 
capt. "War Eagle;" 1848 "Senator;" 1849 "Dr. Franklin No. 2." Dur- 
ing low water in 1848-50, when his larger boats could not run, com- 
manded the little stern-wheel "Enterprise;" 1850-51 "Nominee;" 1852 
"New St. Paul," "Luella," "West Newton;" 1853 capt. "West Newton;" 
1854-56 capt. "War Eagle;" 1857-61 capt. and owner "Grey Eagle," the 
finest and fastest boat ever on the upper river, which in May 1861 
struck the Rock Island bridge and sunk in seven minutes, a total loss; 
Capt. Harris thereupon retired from the river, never to return; died at 
Galena in 1892. 

Harris, Jackson. Youngest brother of preceding, born (1828) at Ga- 
lena; 1841 "cub" pilot "Otter;" 1859-60 pilot "Northern Light;" 1861 
pilot "War Eagle;" 1866 pilot "Northern Light," which he sunk in Coon 
Slough by swinging her into sharp anchor ice. 

Harris, James Meeker. Brother of preceding; conducted a boat-store 
at Galena from 1845 to 1861. 

Harris, Martin Keeler. Brother of preceding; 1841 engr. "Otter;" 
1845 engr. 'Time and Tide;" 1847 capt. "Light Foot;" 1850 capt. "Yan- 
kee;" 1852 capt. "St. Paul." 

Harris, Nathaniel. Capt. "John Rumsey." 

Harris Oliver. Clk. on revenue cutter, at Burlington. 

Harris, Robert Scribe. Brother of Daniel Smith Harris; came to Ga- 
lena on keel-boat "Colonel Bumford" in 1824; in 1831, while engr. on 
the Ohio, bought some old machinery and brought it to Galena, where 
he and his brothers built the hull of the "Jo Daviess," on the cut-off 
between Fever River and Harris Slough — the first of some twenty boats 
to be built and run by the Harris brothers. 1829-31 engr. "Galena;" 
1832-34 engr. "Jo Daviess;" 1836 on "Frontier;" 1837 on "Smelter;" 
1838-40 capt. and owner "Pizarro;" 1841-43 engr. "Otter;" 1844 capt. 
"Otter;" 1845-47 engr. "War Eagle;" 1848 engr. "Dr. Franklin No. 2;" 
1849 engr. "Senator;" 1850-51 engr. "West Newton;" 1852-53 engr. "Dr. 
Franklin No. 2;" 1854-56 engr. "War Eagle;" died at Dubuque between 
1880 and 1885. 

Harton, T. M. Clk. in 40's. 

Hartshorn, W. E. June, 1854 clk. "Grand Prairie," at Wyalusing. 

Harwood, E. Clk.; lived at Dubuque 1868. 

Haskins, H. 1846 capt. "Little Dove," at Galena. 

[ 129 ] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

Hatcher, J. R. 1859-60 capt. "Frank Steele;" 1861 capt. "Winona;" 
1862-63 capt. "Keokuk." 

Hatcher, N. S. Clk. in 40's. 

Hatcher, Pole. Clk. in Northern Line, on many of best boats; April 
5, 1877 clk. "Minneapolis," at Dubuque. 

Havlin, A. 1859 clk. "Davenport," at Burlington. 

Hawkins, H. C. 1848 clk. "St. Peters;" June, 1854 clk. "Grand 
Prairie." 

Hawkins, J. F. 1845 on "Confidence," at Burlington. 

Hay, — . 1857-58 capt. "Minnesota." 

Haycock, — . 1854-56 capt. "Globe," Minnesota River trade; 1861, 1863 
capt. "Stella Whipple." 

Hays, J. P. 1857 clk. "Excelsior." 

Hazzard, Daniel. 1844 clk. "Di Vernon," at Burlington. 

Hazzard, George H. Many years on the river, serving first as pantry- 
boy, then second clerk, "cub" engineer, mate, first clerk, pilot, and 
capt. on "H. S. Allen," "G. H. Gray," "Mollie Mohler," "Stella Whip- 
ple," "Moses McLellan," and many other boats; was steamboat agent 
at St. Paul, freight agent for Great Northern Railway, and in other 
lines of transportation; is now engaged in the insurance business in 
St. Paul; represents Minnesota as park commissioner for St. Croix 
Interstate Park. 

. Henderson, "Billy." Owned bar on "Excelsior" for many years, sold 
fruit etc.; later, bought up the bars on a dozen other boats, hiring bar- 
tenders, but keeping a general personal supervision; he was a well- 
known river character. 

Henderson, R. M. 1846 on "War Eagle," at Burlington. 

Henderson, William. 1834 clk. "Olive Branch;" 1854 clk. "Grey 
Cloud." 

Herdman, — . 1857 capt. "Arizona," at St. Paul. 

Hewitt, I. 1834 clk. "Brazil," at Burlington. 

Hewitt, Stephen. 1856 clk. "Henrietta;" 1857-59 capt. "Milwaukee." 

Hickman, Nathaniel P. Engr. in 40's at Burlington. 

Hight, Washington. Pilot in 50's; 1856-57 on "Brazil," with Edward 
Cahalin for partner; 1877 on "Diamond Jo;" pilot on both rapids; in 
service many years; died 1909 in Illinois. 

Hight, William P. Brother of preceding; pilot between St. Louis and 
St. Paul long before the war; pilot on both rapids; capt. in Northern 
Line many years; died in St. Louis. 

Hill, Thomas B. First-class engr.; 1857-59 capt. "Minnesota Belle;" 
1860-61 capt. "Pembina." 

Hillhouse, William. Capt. "Dubuque," at Burlington; capt. one of 



130 



Western River Steamboating 

the first government boats on the upper river, with Norman C. Tibbals 
as pilot. 

Hills, F. J. 1S56 elk. "Alhambra," at Wyalusing. 

Hinde, Charles T. Clerk in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years; living 1903 at San Diego, Cal. 

Hine, Adams. 1836 on "Science," at Burlington. 

Hine, Louis L. 1857 capt. "Clara Hine," at Burlington. 

Hinman, R. B. 1854 on "Ben Campbell," at Burlington. 

Holcombe, Edward V. August 26, 1853 pilot "Dr. Franklin" at La 
Crosse; 1854 pilot "Nominee;" 1855 pilot "Northern Belle;" 1860-61 
capt. "Keokuk;" 1862-63 capt. "Milwaukee," frozen in at Pine Bend, 
Minn., for all winter. 

Holcombe, W. 1835 capt. "Olive Branch," at Burlington; June 3, 
1837 capt. "Olive Branch," at Dubuque, 

Holland, Perry. 1857-58 mate "Northern Light;" 1866 mate "North- 
ern Light," when she sunk in Coon Slough; 1866 mate "Belle of 
La Crosse." 

Hollcroit, — . 1856 capt. "Diamond," at Wyalusing. 

Plollowell, N. K. Aug. 20, 1842 capt. "Leander," at Burlington. 

Holmead, C. S. 1844 elk. "Highlander," at Burlington. 

Holmes, Lafayette. Pilot with Minnesota Packet Company, from 
1853; 1845-60 lived at Galena; 1860-67 at St. Paul; and since that time 
at La Crosse; 1881 agt. Keokuk Northern Line. 

Holmes, William S. Clk. in Davidson Line; 1881 living at La Crosse. 

Hoffman, — . 1856 capt. "Clarion," at St. Paul. 

Hooper, W. H. 1843 capt. "Otter;" 1846 capt. "Time and Tide;" 
1848 capt. "Alexander Hamilton." Capt. Hooper married Electa Har- 
ris, sister of the Harris brothers; in 1848 went to Salt Lake City and 
allied himself with the Mormons; was sent several times as delegate 
to Congress. 

Hopkins, E. R. 1842 and 1844 clk. "Iowa," at Burlington; 1845 clk. 
"Hibernian;" 1846 clk. "Huntsville." 

Horton, Charles. 1857 chief clk. "Itasca," at Wyalusing. 

Hotelling, Peter. 1845 capt. "Maid of Iowa," running between Ga- 
lena and Fort Winnebago, at Portage. 

Humbertson, George. 1851 built, owned, and commanded "Badger 
State" running between Galena and Portage; 1854-56 capt. "Minne- 
sota Belle," with W. R. Tibbals pilot in 1855. 

Hunt, Campbell. Born on Illinois River just above its junction with 
Mississippi; learned the river with John Goll; pilot between Cairo 
and St. Paul; is now serving on lighthouse tender "Lily;" home at 
St. Louis. 

Hunt, Hiram. 1867 chief engr. "Grey Eagle." 

[ 131 ] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

Hunt, James S. July 1, 1858 chief engr. "Galena," when she burned 
at Red Wing levee; living (1911) at Savanna, 111. 

Hunt, John. May 6, 1846 on "Monona," at Burlington. 

Hunt, Phil. K. July 30, 1831 elk. "Winnebago," at Burlington. 

Hunt, W. E. 1857 capt. and owner "Courier," at St. Paul. 

Hurd, J. Y. 1856 capt. "Granite State;" 1858-60 capt. "Northern 
Belle;" 1862 capt. "Itasca." 

Hustleby, John. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company; 1857 partner 
with Captain Tibbals on "Golden Era." 

Hutchinson, A. M. Commenced boating on Minnesota River before 
the war; capt. and supt. in Davidson Line; died at Keokuk. 

Hutchinson, '0. S. Clk. on "H. S. Allen," "Ariel," and other boats; 
lived at Prescott. 

Hynson, George W. July 1, 1857 clk. "Golden Era," at La Crosse. 

Irvine, — . 1857 capt. "Rescue." 

Isherwood, Thomas G. Steamboat carpenter; 1853 came from the 

Ohio; on "Lamartine," later on "A. G. Mason," and other boats; now 

(1911) 76 years old, watchman on Rock Island ferry boat. 

James, — . 1857 capt. "Ocean W^ave." 

Jameson, — . 1857 capt. "W. S. Nelson." 

Jenks, J. B. 1857 capt. "Tishomingo;" 1860 capt. "Metropolitan." 

Jewell, Charles. Pilot, lived at Prescott; ran to St. Croix Falls; 
1854-62 on "Equator," "H. S. Allen," "Wenona," and other St. Croix 
River packets. 

Johnson, E. A. 1861 clk. "War Eagle." 

Johnson, Mason. May 10, 1841 clk. "Vandalia," at Burlington. 

Johnson, W. C. July 7, 1847 clk. "Ocean Wave," at Burlington. 

Jones, J. Russell. For many years secretary of the Minnesota 
Packet Company; 1860 lived at Dunleith, 111.; later moved to Galena; 
died in Chicago, April, 1909. 

Keach, John N. 1856 clk. "J. McKee," at Burlington. 

Keath, John R. April 1859 clk. "Pembina," at McGregor. 

Kelly, William. Born Galena, 1839; educated in Sinsinawa Mound 
College; 1856 "cub" pilot "Brazil" with his uncle, Edward Cahalin, and 
Washington Hight, pilots; 1857-58 on "Pembina;" 1859 was given 
license signed by Daniel Smith Harris, William White, and Thomas L. 
Griffith; later, learned the river from St. Louis to New Orleans, 
claims that he is the only man who took a boat from St. Paul to the 
jetties at the Gulf of Mexico, as he did with the government steamer 
"Patrol." Pilot "Centennial," the largest boat in the upper river 
trade; pilot "Alexander Mitchell" with William Fisher when she was 

[132] 




William Kelly 



Western River Steamboating 

struck by cyclone at Wells Landing above Dubuque; pilot and capt. 
in government service for twelve years; retired in 1909 after 53 years 
continuous service during which time he piloted or commanded more 
than fifty different boats on upper and lower river; now (1911) sec* 
retary of the Mississippi and Ohio Pilots' Association in St. Louis; 
has written interesting articles for papers and magazines relating 
some of his varied experiences on the river. 

Kempland, A. May 1, 1841 elk. "Chippewa," at Burlington. 

Kennett, S. M. July 9, 1842 capt. "Rapidan" at Burlington; 1844 
capt. "Lewis F. Linn." 

Kent, — . Capt. and owner "Nellie Kent," of Osceola, where he 
lived. 

Ketcham, Mack. 1866 chief engr. "Northern Light," when she sunk 
in Coon Slough. 

Killeen, John. Began on river as deck hand in 1856; passed through 
all grades to capt.; finally retired to become vice-president and gen- 
eral supt. of the Diamond Jo Line at Dubuque, where he is living 
(1911). 

Kinestone, James. 1857 chief engr. "Northern Light." 

King, George L. 1845 capt. "New Haven," of Galena. 

King, John. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company for many years; a 
first-class pilot, one of the best on the upper river; died at Por- 
tage, Mo. 

Kingman, A. T. Apr. 7, 1857 capt. "War Eagle," at La Crosse. 

Kintnor, John A. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Knapp, George B. 1857-61 capt. and owner "G. B. Knapp," on St. 
Croix Lake and River. 

Knapp, Oscar F. Commenced on river 1860; in St. Croix River trade 
chiefly; retired 1910 to his farm near Maiden Rock. 

Knight, — . Apr. 1856 elk. "Galena," at Wyalusing. 

LaBarge, Joseph. 1840 pilot "Omega," owned by American Fur Com- 
pany; 1841 capt. "Emelia;" 1845 bought "General Brooke" for Mis- 
souri River trade; capt. "General Brooke" until burned in 1849 on the 
Missouri River. 

LaBlanc, Thomas. Early raft pilot; lived at Prairie du Chien. 

LaChappelle, Gabriel. Raft and steamboat pilot for many years; 
living (1911) at Prairie du Chien aged 70 years. 

Lafferty, James. June 15, 1836 capt. "Adventure," at Dubuque; 1837 
capt. "Pavillion;" 1841 capt. "Sarah Ann." 

LaGrew, Joe. 1838 settled at Willow River now Hudson, Wis.; raft 
pilot on St. Croix and Mississippi with Peter Bouchea and John B. 
Page. 

[133] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

Lamar, Charles. 1856 capt. and owner "Hamburg;" capt. and owner 
"Luella." 

Lamb, — . May, 1856 chief elk. "Luella," at Wyalusing. 

Lamont, Alexander. Began on upper Mississippi in the 40's; 1877 
capt. "iMinneapolis;" took the steamer "Reserve" for the government 
from New Orleans to Mobile by way of the Gulf of Mexico; capt. "Ben 
Hur," 1911; is 87 years old, living at Upper Alton, 111. 

Lamont, George. Capt. in Northern Line; living (1904) at Rock 
Island, agent for Northern Line. 

Lamont, W. H. Agent for White Collar line at Davenport, 1911; 
nephew of Capt. Alex. Lamont. 

Lancaster, John. For many years pilot and master on upper river; 
is now (1911) owner and master of "Eclipse," passenger packet be- 
tween Dubuque and Prairie du Chien; his two sons are with him on 
the boat, as pilot and engineer. 

Lannings, James. 1865 elk. "Canada." 

Lansing, R. G. May, 1854 chief elk. "Admiral" at Wyalusing. 

LaPointe, Charles. French-Indian raft pilot in the 40's; lived at 
Prairie du Chien. 

La Rock (La Roeque), Joseph. French-Indian raft pilot in the 40's; 
lived at Prairie du Chien. 

Laughton, William H. Born in London, 1823; 1844 settled in Platte- 
ville; 1846-47 seaman on Great Lakes; 1852 began river life as mate 
"Nominee;" 1852-54 mate "Galena;" 1854-56 capt. "City Belle;" 1857-58 
capt. "Galena" that burned at Red Wing, Minn., July 1, 1858; 1859-60 
capt. "Golden Era;" 1861-62 capt. "Northern Belle;" 1863 capt. "Mil- 
waukee;" 1864 capt. "Alex Mitchell;" 1865 capt. "Lucy Bertram;" 
1872-73 capt. "Alex Mitchell;" 1882 capt. "Belle of Minnetonka," on 
Lake Minnetonka, Minn.; 1883 died at his home in Platteville; during 
his life on the river he saved nine persons from drowning, in many 
cases at imminent risk of his own life; an engrossed set of resolu- 
tions, and a silver loving cup made by Tiffany, were given Captain 
Laughton by the passengers on the "Nominee," April 20, 1852, in 
token of his bravery in jumping overboard and saving the life of a 
little girl who had fallen over the rail. 

LaVeille, Eugene. Mar. 19, 1845 pilot "Mendota," at Burlington. 

LaVeille, Thurdan. On river in the 40's with his brother Eugene. 

Lay, John. Engr.; lived at Prescott and ran on St. Croix River 
boats; 1858 chief engr. "Equator" when she was wrecked on Lake 
St. Croix. 

Lackland, James R. Oct. 14, 1842 elk. "Osage," at Burlington. 

Lackland, R. J. ]\Iay 15, 1842 elk. "Oregon," at Burlington. 

Lee, John. August, 1846 capt. "Atlas;" 1848 capt. "Montauk." 

[134] 



Western River Steamboating 

Leidz, F. W. Feb. 24, 1840 elk. "Ohio," at Burlington. 

Leitch, George. Engr.; lived at Keokuk. 

Leitch, Harry. 1859 began as deck-hand "Northern Light;" 1867-68 
mate "Canada;" 1869 mate "Huron;" 1910 living at Quincy, engaged 
in the coal business; was draw-tender at Quincy bridge for several 
years. 

Lewis, George. 1868 engr. "Ida Fulton," at McGregor. 

Lewis, William T. Sept. 1853 elk. "Alice," at Wyalusing; 1857 elk. 
"Itasca." 

Lightner, J. H. Clk. in the 40's. 

Lindley, R. J. Raft pilot; April, 1911 living at Le Claire, Iowa. 

Littleton, M. 1829 capt. "Josephine," lat Burlington; founder of 
first packet line between the rapids. 

Lodwick, Kennedy. 1846 capt. "Argo;" 1856 capt. "City Belle" and 
"Galena;" later capt. "Lady Franklin." 

Lodwick, M. W. 1847 capt. "Argo;" 1849-51 capt. "Dr. Franklin;" 
1852 capt. "Blackhawk" and "Ben Campbell;" 1853 capt. "Ben Camp- 
bell" and "Dr. Franklin;" 1854 capt. "Northern Belle." 

Lodwick, Preston. 1854, capt. "Dr. Franklin No. 2;" 1856 capt. 
"Northern Belle;" 1857-60, capt. "Northern Light." 

Long, Gabriel. 1822-29 French pilot of keel-boats, lived at Prairie 
du Chien. 

Looney, A. H. Born (1830) Randolph County, 111.; came to Wiscon- 
sin in 1836, and lived first in Lafayette County; 1852 at La Crosse; 
has followed the river as pilot ever since. 

Looney, Frank, H. Pilot, son of preceding; living (1881) in La 
Crosse, aged 27 years; is in Davidson Line. 

Looney, Morrell M. Brother of preceding; living (1881) in La 
Crosse; pilot in Davidson Line. 

Looney, Robert. July, 1856 capt. "Falls City;" living in La Crosse. 

Lucas, M. E. Capt. in Minnesota Packet Company for several years. 

Lyon, — . 1839 capt. "Ariel." 

Lyons, — . 1857 capt. "W. H. Denny," at St. Paul. 

McAllister, Duncan. Carpenter on many boats of the Minnesota 
Packet Company; 1859-61 on "Fanny Harris." 

McAllister, R. C. 1839 on river at Burlington; 1841 capt. "Illinois." 

McBride, John. Capt., living (1904) at St. Louis. 

McCaffrey, John. Born 1842; commenced rafting at age of thirteen; 
then clerk, pilot, and later captain — his first boat, "Alvira;" later, 
owned and commanded a number of tow-boats — rafters; was a lum- 
berman and mine owner, and very wealthy. 

McCain, J. B. Engr. living (ISSl) at La Crosse. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

McCain, John. Early raft pilot, at Burlington. 

McClintock, — . 1857 capt. "Henry Graff," at Wyalusing. 

McClune, J. S. Organized the St. Louis & Keokuk Packet Company 
in ttie 40's, with other river projects later. 

McCoy, E. M. 1S47 capt. "Senator," at Galena. 

McCoy, J. B. Kaft pilot from the St. Croix; 1861 on "Fanny Har- 
ris;" an expert boxer, and had a reputation as a fighting man. 

McCraney, William. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company, on "Key 
City," and many other boats of the line; what was known as a "hot 
engineer" — carried lots of steam. 

McCullough, Joseph. Pilot on upper river for more than twenty 
years, in Northern and Diamond Jo lines; lived at Fort Madison, Iowa. 

McDonald, George. Engr. in aiinnesota Packet Company; 1861 on 
"Fanny Harris;" later in Diamond Jo Line; 1881 on "Mary Morton." 

McGinnis, James C. Pilot on upper river in the 40's. 

McGuire, — . 1855 and 1857 capt. "Alhambra." 

McGuire, R. Dec. 3, 1856 elk. "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

McKagan, Edward. 1858 capt. "Medora," at St. Paul. 

McLaren, — . June, 1854 elk. "Greek Slave," at Wyalusing. 

McMahon, — . 1847 capt. "Revenue Cutter," at Galena. 

McMurchy, James. Chief Engr. in Davidson and Diamond Jo lines 
for many years; U. S. inspector of boilers; now deceased. 

McPhail, "Sandy." Early raft pilot; did some steamboat work. 

McPike, A. Founder Quincy Packet Company; active in river af- 
fairs in the 40's. 

McPherson, P. Sept. 17, 1841 elk. "Mermaid," at Galena. 

McLean, Daniel. Raft pilot; lived and died in Dubuque. 

McVey, J. C. Clk. in the 40''s. 

Magan, — . April 25, 1841 clk. "lone," at Burlington. 

Mahan, Frank. March, 1853 clk. "Michigan," at Burlington. 

Maitland, John H. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years; 1843 on "Osprey," at Burlington; 1852 on "Nominee," at Wya- 
lusing. 

Malin, J. W. 1853 capt. "Lady Franklin." 

Mames, P. M. 1907 chief engr. "J. S.;" living at Davenport. 

Mames, W. R. 1907 second engr. "J. S.," living at Davenport. 

Manning, Charles. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years; then in Northern Line Company between St. Louis and St. 
Paul; for several years pilot "Sucker State," Capt. William Hight; 
died in Portage, Mo. 

Maratta, Frank. 1855 capt. "Prairie Rose," at St. Paul. 

Marsden, S. R. April, 1874 capt. "A. J. Dorchester," at Galena. 

Mason, Isaac M. Born in Brownsville, Pa., March 4, 1831; began 

[136 1 



Western River Steamboating 

steamboating as second elk. "Consul," 1846 on Ohio River; at the age 
of nineteen capt. "Summit," between Louisville and Nashville; 1851 
came to St. Louis and for fourteen years was elk. or capt. on the up- 
per river; on "Editor," "Australia," "Honduras," "Alma," "Belle 
Golden," "Vixen," "Denmark," "Fred Lorenz," "Savanna," and "Hawk- 
eye State," in most of which he was part or whole owner; 1865-76 
agent Northern Line at St. Louis; 1884 appointed supt. Anchor Line, 
St. Louis to New Orleans; 1888 elected president of same company; 
a man of moral worth and integrity, as well as a very successful 
steamboat man. 

Martin, C. D. Born 1824 in Washington County, Ohio; 1841 cabin- 
boy on Ohio River; capt. and pilot on Ohio and Mississippi ever since; 
1857 capt. "Envoy;" 1862 capt. "Moses McLellan;" 1863 capt. "F^ank 
Steele;" 1881 capt. and owner "Silver Lake." 

Martin, Melvin. Engr. son of preceding; lived (1881) at La Crosse. 

Massey, Louis. Early French raft pilot from the St. Croix; settled at 
Hudson; had SQuaw for wife; was in company with Joe Lagrew and 
Peter Bouchea, who were also rafters. 

Mather, Charles C. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years — one of best on river; June 1856 on "Ocean Wave;" 1858 on 
"Galena," when she burned at Red Wing; 1862 on "War Eagle;" 1881 
on "Mary Morton," of Diamond Jo Line; was living (1903) at St. Louis. 

Maxwell, O. H. 1850-52, capt. "Tiger;" 1854-55 capt. "Blaekhawk;" 
1857-58 capt. "Wave;" nearly all the time on Minnesota River. 

Maxwell, Sam. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years — one of the best. 

May, James. Born 1804 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.; 1822 commenced 
flat-boating on the Ohio, continuing until 1827, when he was given 
command of the "Shamrock," making a trip to Galena that year — the 
first purely business trip of any steamboat to the upper river; capt. 
"Enterprise," bringing General Gaines in 1832 to Rock Island to 
meet chief Black Hawk; 1832 at Galena with his boat, the "Dove;" 
1834 retired from the river going into the grocery business in Daven- 
port. 

Melville, George R. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company; 1852 on 
"Dr. Franklin No. 2;" 1854 on "Nominee"; 1861 agent Minnesota 
Packet Company at Galena; served on many other boats of the line. 

Merrick, Alfred. Pilot between St. Louis and St. Paul; registered 
1855 in St. Louis. 

Merrick, George B. [See sketch ante, p. 98.] 

Merrick, Laban H. Steamboat agent; born Corinth, Vt., Dec. 16, 
1801; June, 1854 came to Prescott from Niles, Mich., and assumed the 
■agency for the Minnesota Packet Company and the St. Louis & St. 

[137] 



Wisconsin Historical Society 

Paul Packet Company, which business he retained until sold to 
Charles L. Barnes, of Hastings, Minn.; continued in the grocery and 
grain-buying business on the levee until 1865; died Feb. 19, 1866, at 
Adrian, Mich. 

Meyers, William. 1848 chief engr. "Dr. Franklin No. 1;" lived at 
Galena; served on other boats of the packet company, 

Middleton, — . 1837 capt. "Palmyra," at Galena. 

Miles, E. R. 18o3 elk. "Garden City." 

Miller, — . 1845 capt. "Hibernian," at Galena. 

Mitchell, A. 1861 capt. "War Eagle," at La Crosse; for many years 
with Diamond Jo Line; died at Albany, 111. 

Mohler, William B. Old-time river capt. and steamboat owner; now 
(Dec, 1911) living at Minneapolis. 

Montford, A. C. 1850-60 elk. in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Montford, A. G. 1845 capt. "Lightfoot," at Winona; 1846 capt. "St. 
Anthony," at Galena. 

Montgomery, Edward. 1847 capt. "Pearl" and "Kentucky," at Galena. 

Montgomery, James. Early pilot in the Keokuk Packet Company; 
died at St. Louis. 

Moore, Frank. April 8, 1854 elk. "Admiral," at Galena. 

Moore, Seth. Pilot with Minnesota Packet Company for many years. 

Moorehouse, D. B. 1854 brought "Galena" (new) from Cincinnati; 
commanded several other boats in the Minnesota Packet Company. 

Moorehouse, Legrand. 1842-45 capt. "Iowa;" 1845-47 capt. "Fal- 
con;" lived at Buffalo, 111.; later moved to Springfield, Mo., where in 
1890 he died. 

Moreau, Louis. French-Indian raft pilot; lived at Prairie du Chien, 
entered on census roll of Crawford County as Louis "Morrow," with a 
wife and eight children; 1853 pilot of the "Dr. Franklin" with Cap- 
tain Blakeley, who speaks highly of his ability. 

Morland, A. B. Dec. 10, 1841 elk. "Huntsville," at Burlington. 
/6 Morrison, Charles «^. 1846 capt. "Bertrand;" 1847 capt. "Anthony 
Wayne;" 1855 capt. "Oakland;" 1857-59 capt. "Aunt Letty." 

Morrison, James. 1857 mate "Northern Light," at St. Paul. 

Morse, Edward. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company between Du- 
buque and St. Paul; died at Dubuque. 

:\Ioss, Henderson. 1854 barber on "Key City;" left boat and opened 
a shop in La Crosse. 

Moulton, Isaac H. 1859-61 commenced as elk. "Enterprise;" capt. 
"Keokuk;" 1865 brought out the new "City of St. Paul;" at various 
times was in command "War Eagle," "Phil. Sheridan," "Annie John- 
son," "Addie Johnson," and "Diamond Jo;" retired from river and 
engaged in the coal business in La Crosse, where he was living in 1911, 

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Western River Steamboating 

and where he was a leader in everything which makes for the better- 
ment of the city. 

Moulton, Thomas. 1859-61 elk. "Enterprise." 
Mulford, Charles. 1845 elk. "Boreas," at Burlington. 
Mullen, William P. 1855-57 elk. "Montauk." 

Newton, J. 1863 capt. "Clara Hine," at La Crosse. 

Nichols, George. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company for many 
years — one of the best. 

Nichols, George S. Son of preceding, pilot for many years; on 
"J. S." for several years, until she burned June 25, 1910, at head of 
Bad Ax Island, near Victory, Wis., where he did commendable work 
in saving the passengers; living (1908) at La Crosse, Wis. 

Nichols, Thomas. 1855 pilot "Julia Dean," at La Crosse. 

Norris, James C. 1843 elk. "Annawan;" 1863 capt. "Albany." 

Nourse, I. R. 1848 elk. "Alexander Hamilton," at Burlington. 

Oldenburg, William. 1850-60 engr. in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Osborne, Robert G. Pilot between Dubuque and St. Paul for many 
years before the war; served also as elk. 

Owens, Thomas. 1843 capt. "Lynx;" 1854 capt. "Excelsior;" 1856- 
1857 capt. "Mansfield." 

Owens, — . 1858 elk. "W. H. Denney;" 1861 elk. "Henry Clay," at 
Wyalusing. 

Page, John B. A Mormon, from Nauvoo, HI., one of the first set- 
tlers at Hudson; raft pilot and lumberman on his own account; was 
six feet four inches tall. 

Palmer, — . 1855 chief elk. "Julia Dean," at Wyalusing. 

Papin, A. D. 1845 on "Lynx." 

Parker, J. W. 1853-54 elk. "Nominee;" 1855 capt. "Lady Franklin" 
and "Golden Era;" 1856 capt. "Golden Era," and elk. "Alhambra;" 
1860-62 capt. "Canada;" was also capt. "Fred Lorenz" and "Dubuque;" 
died on "Canada" while under way. 

Parker, X. W. 1842 capt. "Osprey;" 1855-56 capt. "Montauk;" 
1858-59 capt. "Dew Drop." 

Parkhurst, L. 1848 elk. "Bon Accord;" 1861 elk. "La Crosse." 

Parsons, L. S. Sept. 20, 1847 elk. "Clermont No, 2," at Burlington. 

Patten, Charles H. Son of Henry M.; engr. on upper river for many 
years; began river life as cabin-boy on "Wyoming," 1852; retired 1910, 
and now living at Fort Madison, Iowa; has written many interesting 
articles relating to river life and history. 

Patten, Henry M. In Northern Line for many years as mate and 
master; lived at Montrose, Iowa, where he died. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Patterson, — . May 18, 1836 capt. "Cavalier" at Dubuque. 

Peake, C. G. July 7, 1836 on "M. O. Fulton," at Burlington. 

Pearman, — . 1857 elk. "A. G. Mason," at St. Paul. 

Perrin, — . Aug. 17, 1836 capt. "Missouri Fulton," at Dubuque. 

Philumalee, David. Retired river man, living (1911) at Madison, 
about 90 years of age. 

Phillips, A. Supt. Keokuk Packet Company. 

Piatt, James. Apr. 6, 1877 engr. "Diamond Jo," at La Crosse. 

Pierce, George S. 1856 capt. "Wyandotte;" 1857-60 elk. "Key City;" 
1861 enlisted at Dubuque in the Governor's Grays, and went to the 
front; afterwards joined the regular army, and was in command at the 
battle of Camden, La.; was a West Point student before going on 
river, but did not graduate. 

Pierz, N. V. 1853 elk. "Grand Prairie," at Burlington. 

Plasterage, — . June 15, 1836 capt. "Galenian," at Dubuque. 

Pomeroy, C. W. July 26, 1853 elk. "Excelsior," at La Crosse; Nov. 
1856 elk. "Falls City," at Wabasha, Minn. 

Primm, Louis. 1823 pilot "Virginia," first steamboat to enter Fever 
River, at Galena; also first boat to ascend Mississippi to Fort Snelling. 

Porter, J. W. 1868 engr. "John C. Gault," at McGregor. 

Porter, S. E. 1848 on "Dubuque," at Burlington. 

Powers, I. 1852 elk. "Dubuque," at Burlington. 

Poyner, Thomas. From Richland Center, Wis.; 1861 on "Grey Eagle" 
when she sunk at Rock Island bridge; 1866 second mate "Northern 
Light" when she sunk in Coon Slough; later in same year second 
mate "Belle of La Crosse;" killed by skiff falling from derrick, at Du- 
buque, on "Belle of La Crosse;" Harry Leitch, of Quincy, and Captain 
John Killeen, of Dubuque, speak of Mr. Poyner as one of the finest 
young men whom they ever knew. 

Pratt, O. H. 1845 elk. "Western Belle," at Burlington. 

Price, Enoch. 1828 elk. "Illinois," at Burlington. 

Price, H. 1853 capt. "Garden City," at St. Louis. 

Priest, — . July, 1856 elk. "Galena," at Wyalusing. 

Pyatte, Larkin L. July 1, 1858 engr. "Galena," when she burned at 
Red 'Wing. 

Pym, John S. Clk. in Minnesota Packet Company; 1845 elk. "Lynx," 
at Burlington; 1857 elk. "Grey Eagle," at St. Paul. 

Radebaugh, George. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company; 1857 on 
"Northern Light." 

Rambo, Joseph. Engr. on upper river. 
Randall, George. Early raft pilot St. Croix River. 
Randolph, W. L. July 6, 1842 on "Annawan." 

Rawlins, John. 1855-56 capt. and owner "North Star," running 

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Western River Steamboating 

above Falls of St. Anthony; 1857 capt. "Governor Ramsey;" also run- 
ning above falls. 

Raymond, D. F. 1848 elk. "Mondiana." 

Redlington, John. 1874 elk. "Willie Wilson," at Galena. 

Reed, William. 1833 on "Express." 

Reeder, C. T. May, 1856 elk. "Diamond," at Wyalusing. 

Reid, J. 1856 capt. "Brazil;" 1874 capt. "Willie Wilson," at Galena. 

Reilly, E. I. February, 1843 elk. "Lynx." 

Reilly, Robert A. 1843 elk. "Chippewa;" 1844-45 capt. "Mendota;"^ 
1846 capt. "Atlas," at St. Paul; 1849 capt. "Minnesota," at St. Paul; 
1845 capt. and owner "Wiota." 

Reno, — . 1857 capt. "Sam Young," at St. Paul. 

Repplin, — . November, 1841 elk. "Ariel." 

Reynolds, T. Otis. 1833 capt. "Chian," at Davenport. 

Ring, W. B. Sept. 9, 1851 on "Oswego," at Burlington. 

Rissue, George. 1855-57 capt. and owner "Kentucky No. 2;" lived on 
banks of Lake St. Croix above Prescott, where he ran a lime-kiln, the 
products of which he boated to St. Paul; 1857 lost his boat, cut down 
by ice, and sunk at foot of Prescott Island. 

Ritchey, L. K. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company. 

Rhodes, J. B. May, 1857 elk. "Metropolitan," at St. Louis; 1858 capt. 
"Lucie May;" 1860-61 capt. "W. L. Ewing." 

Rhodes, L. B. 1853 capt. "Martha;" later second president St. Louis 
Packet Company. 

Rhodes, Thomas B. 1854 capt. "Grey Cloud;" 1857-59 capt. "Metro- 
politan;" afterwards president of Northern Line. 

Roatt, V. K. 1851 on "Wyoming," at Burlington. 

Robbins, R. M. 1857 elk. "Editor," at Wyalusing. 

Robert, John 0. 1854 capt. "Greek Slave." Brother of Louis and 
Nelson. 

Robert, Louis. Frenchman — a noted character on the river; 1855-57 
capt. and owner "Time and Tide;" 1857-58 capt. and owner "Jeanette 
Roberts," both boats running on Minnesota River; 1852-53 capt. "Greek 
Slave," Galena to St. Paul; invested heavily in real estate in St. Paul, 
and at time of his death in St. Paul in the 80's was very wealthy. 

Robert, Nelson. Brother of preceding; 1859 capt. "Time and Tide," 
running on Minnesota River; lived in St. Paul. 

Robinson, A. A. 1857 on "Denmark." 

Robinson, John. 1856 capt. "Tishomingo;" 1861 capt. "Denmark," at 
St. Paul. 

Roe, N. C. June, 1858 capt. "Envoy," at La Crosse. 

Rogers, Charles H. May 18, 1836 capt. "Galenian," at Galena; 184? 
capt. "Sarah Ann;" 1846 capt. "Bertrand" and "Raritan." 

Roosevelt, William A. Dec. 3, 1856 engr. "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Ross, Charles. 1843 elk. "St. Louis Oak," at Burlington. 

Rounds, — . 1857 capt. "Rosalie," at St. Paul. 

Rowe, — . 1856 capt. "Hamburg," at St. Paul. 

Rowley, — . 1857 capt. 'Commerce," at St. Paul. 

Ruley, Russell. Lived at Prescott; 1856 mate "Kate CasseTl;" 1858 
mate "Equator;" later on "H. S. Allen" and other boats on the St. 
Croix River, and capt. on Mississippi River; murdered near Red Wing, 
and body sunk in North Channel. 

Ryan, George. 1857 engr. "Hope No. 2." 

Saltmarsh, — . 1840 capt. "Indian Queen," at Galena. 

Sanderson, — . Capt. in Davidson Line; 1868-69 on "Benjamin Mc- 
Culloch," was taken with cholera, and turning his boat over to his 
pilot, Peter Hall, requested that he be buried on the head of Hickory 
Island, below Keokuk; he died within an hour; Hall buried him ac- 
cording to orders, and reported to the owners of the boat: "I obeyed 
his order, and by the light of the silvery moon I planted him on the 
head of that island." His grave was an object of interest to river men 
for many years before the floods washed it away. 

Sargent, G. L. 1850 engr. "Yankee," at St. Paul. 

Scott, George W. 1850 engr. "Yankee," at St. Paul. 

Scott, John. 1857 capt. "Golden Era" and "Golden State;" 1858 
capt. "Ocean Wave;" 1859 capt. "General Pike," at La Crosse. 

Segers, John. Born 1834 in Bangor, Me.; 1853 began piloting on 
Minnesota River; later capt. on Mississippi and Minnesota rivers; 
went to Canada and ran on Saskatchewan River; was one of four cap- 
tains chosen by the British government to go to the Nile at the time 
of the Gordon relief expedition, where he distinguished himself by ex- 
traordinary service; on returning from Egypt took part in putting 
down the Riel rebellion, commanding a boat which he piloted through 
the engagement; ninety bullets were found in the hay bales with which 
the pilot-house was barricaded; then went into service with the Hud- 
son Bay Company and piloted boats on the far northern rivers and 
lakes; later went to the Yukon, where for five years he was capt. be- 
tv.'een Dawson and St. Michaels; in 1903 built the "Quickstep," which 
was caught by a tidal wave and landed on top of a warehouse in the 
city of Nome, by which he lost the savings of years; died April 17, 
1909, at Rossland, B. C. 

Sencerbox, — . 1863 capt. ".i^olian;" commanded several other boats 
in the Davidson Line. 

Shellcross, John. 1823 capt. "Virginia," from Pittsburgh, the first 
steamboat which reached Fort Snelling in the spring of that year wfth 
stores for the fort; 1829 capt. "Lady Washington," at Galena. 

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Western River Steamboating 

Shepherd, J. C. July 18, 1841 elk. "Little Red," at Burlington. 

Shiples, P. 1864 elk. "Charles Rodgers," at Galena. 

Short, George L. Well-known river pilot, adjudged insane and sent 
(1908) to Mendota Hospital from La Crosse. 

Shovlin, Con. 1859 deck-hand "Fanny Harris;" 1861 second mate 
"Fanny Harris." 

Sire, Joseph. 1840 capt. "Omega," at Galena; went into Missouri 
River trade, where he became well known, and very successful. 

Sloan, — . 1857 capt. "Lake City," at St. Paul. 

Smith, E. D. 1853 capt. and owner "Berlin," at La Crosse. 

Smith, Henry. Mate in Diamond Jo Line; 1868 mate "John C. Gault," 
at McGregor. 

Smith, I. G. May 11, 1858 elk. "Envoy," at La Crosse. 

Smith, J. F. 1854-55 capt. "Editor," at St. Paul; 1856 capt. "William 
L. Ewing," at Wyalusing; 1857 capt. "Royal Arch." 

Smith, J. P. Mate in Diamond Jo Line. 

Smith, Jerome. 1854 pilot "Lady Franklin" when sunk in collislou 
with "Galena" at foot of Maquoketa Chute; was on watch at the time; 
ieft the river and never returned. 

Smith, John C. 1846 capt. "Tempest," at Galena; 1848 capt. "Mary 
Blane," at Galena. 

Smith, John E. From Pennsylvania; lived at Le Claire, Iowa; 1853 
capt. "Alice," at St. Paul; 1856 capt. "Royal Arch;" was pilot on both 
rapids, and during the suit between the railroad and the steamboatmen 
over the location of the Rock Island bridge, took the part of the rail- 
road company, and handled a boat for them to prove that the bridge 
was no obstruction, by which he lost caste among river men and was 
forced to leave the river for several years until the feeling died out, as 
no captain would employ him to pilot his boat. 

Smith, Orrin. Son of preceding, rapids pilot on both rapids for 
many years; still on duty, living at Le Claire, Iowa; has a great fund 
of anecdotes relating to river men with whom he has associated for 
the past forty years. 

Smith, Orrin Sr. 1853 capt. and owner "Heroine;" 1836-37 capt. 
"Missouri Fulton;" 1838 and 1842 capt. "Brazil;" 1849 capt. "Senator" 
and "Nominee;" 1850-51 capt. "Yankee" and "Senator;" was a very de- 
vout churchman, and would not run his boat from Saturday night at 12 
o'clock until 12 o'clock Sunday night, usually holding a service on the 
boat, often reading the service himself if no minister could be ob- 
tained; president of the Minnesota Packet Company for many years. 

Smith, Orrin Jr., son of preceding. 1855 elk. "Lady Franklin;'* 
agent Diamond Jo Line at Winona for several years. 
Smoker, — . 1836 capt. "Dubuque," at Galena. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Spaulding, L. R. 1863 elk. "Milwaukee." 

Spencer, C. T. 1863 elk. "Milwaukee." 

Spencer, R. M. 1854 eapt. "Sangamon" and "Blackhawk ; " 1857 capt. 
"Fire Canoe" and "Orb." 

St. Clifton, A. W. July 20, 1831 elk. "Delaware," at Burlington. 

Stanton, Frederick K. 1855 elk. "Hamburg," at Wyalusing. 

Starnes, — . 1846 capt. "Mendota," at Galena. 

Stephens, John. 1845-46 elk. "Galena." 

Stephens, R. C. Many years before the war, pilot in Minnesota Packet 
Company; then in Northern Line, and later in Diamond Jo Line; was 
rapids pilot on upper and lower rapids; 1877 on "Diamond Jo" at La 
Crosse. 

Stephenson, Charles L. 1858-60 eapt. "Henry Clay;" 1861 capt. "War 
Eagle;" was appointed supervising inspector of steamboats at St. Paul, 
and was in office for 20 years or more. 

Stewart, — . 1857 elk. "Henry Graff," at Wyalusing. 

Stewart, C. P. Dec. 3, 1856 pilot "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

Stillwell, IM. 1828 running keel-boats on upper river. 

Stombs, J. H. 1846-81 engr. in Minnesota Packet Company, North- 
ern, and Diamond Jo lines; 1855-81 lived at La Crosse. 

Stone, Philo. Early raft pilot. 

Storm, C. S. 1857 elk. "Ocean Wave," at La Crosse; later agent of 
Milwaukee & Mississippi Railway, at St. Paul. 

Stran, H. B. 1857 eapt. "Saracen," at St. Paul. 

Strode, W. F. Nov. 27, 1847 elk. "Eliza," at Burlington. 

Strother, R. M. 1834 and 1836 capt. "Olive Branch," at Galena. 

Stuart, Charles P. Nov. 1856 capt. "Ben Coursin," at Winona, with 
$7,500 freight list, from Dubuque to St. Paul. 

Swartout, A. M. 1848 elk. "Kate Kearney." 

Taylor, W. H. 1848 elk. "Herald." 

Tesson, Frank. Pilot. He learned the river under Daniel Smith 
Harris, with the Minnesota Packet Company, for many years; 1856 was 
at wheel of "Lady Franklin" when she struck and sunk at Britt's Land- 
ing; died at Alton, 111. 

Terrell, H. C. One of two brothers who were clerks on the river be- 
fore the war; living (1909) at Lake City, Minn. 

Thomas, E. H. Printer and reporter before the war; enlisted and 
served three years; then went on river as "cub" pilot on "New Bos- 
ton" and "Keithsburg," between Davenport and Montrose; later 
learned river to St. Louis and ran as pilot and master until 1885-86 
when he retired; is now (1911) postmaster 71 years of age at Ot- 
tumwa, Iowa; has written some interesting sketches of river life. 

[144] 



Western River Steamboating 

Thompson, Orrin J. 1863 raft pilot; 1869 began "towing through," 
then went to steamboats; living at Le Claire, Iowa, April, 1911. 

Throckmorton, Joseph. Born in 1800; 1828-30, capt. and owner of 
"Red Rover;" 1830-31 capt., and joint owner with G. W. Atchison, "Win- 
nebago;" 1832-35, capt. and owner "Warrior;" 1836-37 capt. "Burling- 
ton;" 1838 capt. "Ariel;" 1839-41 capt. "Malta," sunk in Missouri 
River; 1842-44 capt. "General Brooke;" 1845-46 capt. "Cecelia;" 1846 
built "Cora" at Rock Island, commanded her 1846-48; went into insur- 
ance business in St. Louis for several years; ran boats on the Mis- 
souri; then in government service; 1872 died in St. Louis having been 
on the river for more than forty years. While commanding "War- 
rior," he took part in battle of Bad Axe, in Black Hawk War, Au- 
gust, 1832. 

Thurston, — . Capt. and owner "Ariel," which he built at St. Paul. 

Tibbals, Charles S. Clerk in Diamond Jo Line for many years; 1911 
in business in Dubuque. 

Tibbals, Norman E. Pilot between Montrose, Iowa and St. Paul; 
capt. and pilot car-ferry at Winona, for several years; capt. and pilot 
transfer boat at Helena, Ark., for ten years; died at Dubuque, 1905. 

Tibbals, William R. [See sketch ante, p. 98.] 

Tipton, David. Pilot. 1820 born on Muskingum River; on Ohio as 
mate on keel-boats when a mere boy; later, steamboat mate; on Des 
Moines and Mississippi rivers as special rapids pilot for many years; 
later on Northwestern Line between St. Louis and St. Paul; after 1873 
in government service as pilot and capt.; died at his wheel on snag- 
boat "Colonel A. McKenzie," on Lake Pepin, Sept. 24, 1904, aged 84 
years. 

Tomlin, — . June 2, 1836 capt. "Heroine," at Dubuque. 

Totten, G. B. 1853 elk. "Wisconsin." 

Tracy, Charles F. 1847 elk. "Pynx." 

Tracy, E. N. July 31, 1843 elk. "Osage." 

Tracy, H. W. 1855 elk. "Galena," at Wyalusing. 

Tripp, Harry. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company for several 
years; 1861 took Tom Burns's place on "Fanny Harris" when latter 
left for the war; partner with James Black. 

Tromley, George. French Canadian pilot; was with Capt. Humbert- 
son on "Minnesota Belle;" also on "Fire Canoe" and other boats; 
Walter Blair of Davenport learned the river with him. 

Troxell, James. Engr. in Minnesota Packet Company, 1861 chief 
engr. "War Eagle," at La Crosse. 

Troy, — . 1857 capt. "^olian," at St. Paul. 

Truett, — . 1855 capt. "Prairie State," at St. Paul. 

Turner, J. M. Capt. and pilot, living (1908) at Lansing, Iowa. 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

Turner, W. J. 1847 elk. "Revenue Cutter." 
Turner, W. J. 1855 engr. from St. Louis. 

Unsell, E. J. 1856 on "Minnesota Belle." 

Upham, R. H. June, 1856 capt. "Equator," at La Crosse. 

Van Dyke, W. W. Clerk, living (1909) at Dubuque. 
Van Houten, — . 1836 capt. "Adventure," at Galena; 1837 capt. "Ad- 
venture," at Dubuque. 
Vickers, — . 1855 capt. "Sam Gaty," at St. Paul. 
Vorheis, — . 1855-57 capt. "Laclede," at St. Paul. 

Walker, George W. Born 1828 on Ohio River; 1842 cabin boy; engr. 
for 25 years; served in navy during war; knew "Mark Twain" while ou 
river; living (August, 1911) at Tama, Iowa. 

Wall, Nick. 1845 capt. "Monona;" 1846-47 capt. "Prairie Bird," at 
Galena. 

Ward, Frank. 1856 elk. "Excelsior," at Wyalusing; April 14, 1857 
elk. "Golden Era;" later in season elk. "Golden State." 

Ward, James. Born in Southerly, England, Dec. 1814; learned boat- 
building in England; 1836 came to Brownsville, Pa., and worked in 
ship-yard until Sept., 1837, when he went as carpenter on "Fayette;" 
1838 at St. Louis working in ship-yard for the season; then carpenter 
"lone;" 1843 carpenter "Amaranth;" 1844-47, mate and part owner 
"St. Croix;" 1848-49 capt. and part owner "St. Peters;" 1850-55 capt. 
and owner "Excelsior;" 1856 capt. and owner "York State;" 1857 capt. 
and owner "Canada" and "Conestoga;" 1857 capt. "Conewago" and 
"Red Wing;" 1858-59 capt. "Red Wing;" 1860 capt. "Canada;" was 
president of the Northern Line. 

Wayman, John. March, 1856, "cub" engr. on Ohio River; licensed 
€ngr. and served on Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri; during war, on 
U. S. gunboat "Monarch;" in foundry and machine business at Platts- 
mouth, Nebr.; now (1911) at Wyandotte, Mich., aged 74 years. 

Webb, L. E. 1857 elk. in Minnesota Packet Company at La Crosse. 

Webb, N. F. 1824 capt. "America;" 1856 capt. "Golden State;" 
1860-61 capt. "Ocean Wave;" 1862 capt. "War Eagle;" 1868 in govern- 
ment service; for fifty years in continuous service as capt. and pilot. 

Webber, Jerry. Minnesota River pilot; 1851 on "Fire Canoe;" 1861 
on 'Fanny Harris" on trip up the Minnesota to Fort Ridgeley to 
bring down Sherman's battery; one of the four pilots selected by the 
English government for service on the Nile for the relief of Gordon, 
serving two years; died at St. Paul, Dec. 17, 1908. 

Webster, Henry. Engr. on upper river. 

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Western River Steamboating 

Weeks, George S. 1862 built "George S. Weeks" at Savanna, 111.; sup- 
erintendent of P. S. Davidson's boat-yard at La Crosse in 1881. 

West, Edward A. (Ned). 1857-62 pilot "Key City," with Capt. Jones 
Worden; with the Minnesota Packet Company for many years; 1876 
on "Belle of Minnetonka," on Lake Mlnnetonka, with Capt. W. H. 
Laughton; with Northern Pacific Railway for a number of years be- 
fore his death (1904) at St. Paul. 

West, Judson T. 1856 pilot "Excelsior;" 1857 on "Royal Arch;" on 
watch when boat was snagged and sunk at Nine Mile Island, below 
Dubuque; for many years master and pilot in Davidson Line; 1868 
capt. "Phil. Sheridan;" his last boating on "City of Quincy," between 
St. Louis and New Orleans, when she struck a snag and sunk above 
Helena, Ark., and became a total loss; died at Hope, Ark. 

Whipple, Charles. April 1857 capt. "Eau Claire," from Pittsburgh to 
Eau Claire; steamer sunk below St. Louis in collision with "South 
America;" built, owned, and commanded "Jennie Whipple," in Chip-~ 
pewa River trade. 

White, — . Nov. 1856 capt. "Falls City," at Wabasha. 

White, Hugh. Pilot between St. Louis and Galena; pilot and master 
on Missouri River for many years before the war; died at St. Louis. 

White, S. Owner and master of five keel-boats in the early 20's. 

White, William. 1832 pilot "Warrior" at battle of Bad Axe; in Min- 
nesota Packet Company for many years; 1859 on "Grey Eagle." 

Whitmore, Henry. 185(^-65 engr. in Minnesota Packet Company, 
chief on "Key City" in the great race with the "Northerner" from Still- 
water to Prescott in 1859; one of best engineers on fhe river. 

WTiitney, Andrew J. Born in Stow, Mass., Jan. 25, 1828; commenced 
on river as supt. for Dull & Williams, govt, contractors, 1873; com- 
menced for himself 1879, with str. "Le Claire," and dredges "Lowell" 
and "Hercules;" built "A. J. Whitney" and "Edith," 1880; built "Nel- 
lie" 1883, and "Dick Clyde" 1885; continued in contracting work till 
1909, when he retired, after having finished some of the largest dams 
and shore-protection work on the river between Alton, 111., and Winona, 
Minn.; is living (Dec, 1911) at Rock Island, 111., where he has a 
beautiful home; Capt. Whitney is an uncle of George B. Merrick. The 
sounding-pole of the "A. J. Whitney" is in the museum of the Wiscon- 
sin Historical Society. 

Whitney, F. A. Son of A. J.; engr. for more than twenty-five yearg 
between St. Louis and St. Paul; living (Dec, 1911) at Cripple Creek, 
Colo. 

Whitten, David. 1857-61 capt. "Itasca," in Minnesota Packet Com- 
pany. 

Wilcox, Joseph B. Mate and capt. in Diamond Jo Line for many 

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Wisconsin Historical Society 

years; 1859 mate "Fanny Harris;" 1868 capt. "John C. Gault;" 1875- 
80 capt. "Arkansas;" died in N. Dak. about 1890-95. 

Williams, J. B. Dec. 3, 1856 engr. "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

Wilson, G. H. 1856 capt. "G. H. Wilson," which he built at La Crosse; 
Ellis Usher's father was interested with him in building the boat, 
which sunk in 1863 — a total loss. 

Wilson, William. Born in Pennsylvania; ran on Ohio River; later 
on upper Mississippi; 1861 mate "Fanny Harris." 

Wood, J. S. 1854 elk. "Dr. Franklin;" 1855 capt. "Greek Slave;" 
1860 elk. "Northerner." 

Woodburn, — . 1857 capt. "Red Wing," at St. Paul. 

Wilcox, "Bull-driver." 1859 second mate "Fanny Harris." 

Wilcox, Joseph B. Brother of preceding; 1859 mate "Fanny Harris;" 
mate and capt. in Diamond Jo Line for several years; 1868 capt. "John 
C. Gault." 

Woodruff, — . 1857 capt. "Atlanta," at St. Paul. 

Woods, Jerry. 1867-68 capt. "Bannock City;" capt. of other boats in 
White Collar Line. 

Woodward, Asa B. Upper river pilot and capt. for fifty years; now 
(Dec, 1911) living at Fort Madison, Iowa. 

Worden, Jones. 1855-56 capt. "Fanny Harris;" 1857-62 capt. "Key 
City;" owned a large interest in each of the above-named boats; lived 
at Dubuque; later moved to Alton where he died in 1909. 

Worsham, H. M. April, 1857 elk. "Adelia," at La Crosse. 

Wright, John. Oct. 13, 1857 capt. "Falls City," at La Crosse. 

Wright, Sam. F. 1861 engr. "War Eagle," at La Crosse. 

Williams, Rufus. Pilot in Minnesota Packet Company in 50's; 1852 
pilot "West Newton;" 1853 pilot "Nominee;" shot and killed a man 
in the 50's at Davenport; escaped from country and went to River 
Amazon, Brazil, and never returned. 

Young, Jesse B. One of four brothers who owned and ran "Enter- 
prise," above St. Anthony Falls; 1859-61 mate "Enterprise." 
Young, Josiah. 1859-61 engr. "Enterprise." 
Young, Leonard. 1859-61 engr. "Enterprise." 
Young, Augustus R. 1859-61 capt. "Enterprise." 
Yunker, Stephen. 1867 capt. "Charles Rodgers," at Galena. 



«*^107 89 i| 



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